ISLAMABAD/RIYADH – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the repeated terrorist attacks by the Houthi militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, which resulted in loss of lives and injuries to civilians.
In a post on X handle, he commended the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi armed forces and the Coalition in intercepting multiple ballistic missiles and their tireless efforts to protect innocent lives and safeguard the Kingdom.
The PM said Pakistan stands in unwavering solidarity with the leadership and people of brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He said in line with the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, and recent decisions taken by its Strategic Political and Defense Committee, our commitment to the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security is resolute. He said Pakistan also fully supports Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right to defend its people and protect its cities and vital infrastructure.
The Prime Minister said the Houthi militia must immediately cease these attacks. He said Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in the face of these threats.
Three Saudi citizens were killed and several others injured in two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced Friday.
The authority said the first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second struck a Saudia aircraft. GACA said in a statement emergency response teams and relevant authorities immediately responded to both attacks in accordance with established emergency procedures and contingency plans. The attacks killed three Saudi nationals and injured several citizens and residents of various nationalities, with injuries ranging from minor to serious, the authority said.All injured individuals were promptly transported to hospitals for medical treatment. The attacks also caused material damage to airport facilities and property.
GACA said it was continuing to assess the damage in coordination with relevant security authorities and taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of passengers and airport personnel, as well as the security of Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation system. The authority confirmed that airport operations had resumed and air traffic had returned to normal.
Pakistan on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. Foreign Office Spokesperson, Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan, during a weekly press briefing, said the Makkah Alliance for Defence was a defensive arrangement aimed at protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its member countries and strengthening their collective deterrence capabilities.Referring to the emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Alliance, held in Riyadh on October 5, he said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye had agreed to move towards the practical implementation of their collective defence commitments.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the meeting, he added.
The spokesperson said the committee reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia and condemned attempts to target Makkah and Madinah, as well as attacks on cities, civilians and economic infrastructure.
