{
  "id": 8052832,
  "title": "Pakistan says time has come to implement Mecca defence pact",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/pakistan-says-time-has-come-to-implement-mecca-defence-pact",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T15:38:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/pakistan-says-time-has-come-implement-mecca-defence-pact"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has asserted that the time is ripe for the nation to ratify the Mecca defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey as the Houthi assaults on the kingdom escalate. Addressing Geo News on Wednesday, Asif reiterated Pakistan's unwavering commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. He emphasized that Islamabad has an obligation to protect these sites, even without the formal agreement.\n\n\"As the Mecca Agreement pertains to us, we will honor our duty,\" Asif stated, without providing further details on the specific actions Pakistan might undertake. In response, Houthi officials have refuted allegations of targeting the holy city, asserting that their operations are focused on Saudi oil facilities and military bases, which are situated far from the sacred sites. Yahya Saree, a Houthi spokesperson, made this claim.\n\nPakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif attended the Defence Ministers Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Shandong province, China, on June 26, 2025.",
  "summary": "Pakistan says time has come to implement Mecca defence pact Pakistan’s defence minister has said the time has come to implement the Mecca defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey as Houthi attacks on the kingdom intensify. Speaking to Geo News on Wednesday, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan remained committed to defending Saudi Arabia and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, adding that Islamabad…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Pakistan says time has come to implement Mecca defence pact",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/pakistan-says-time-has-come-to-implement-mecca-defence-pact-8052834",
        "published": "2026-09-17T15:25:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}