Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf and leaders of major religious parties have condemned an attempted Houthi drone attack near Makkah, reaffirming solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for the defence of the Kingdom and Islam’s two holiest sites.
Speaking at an All Parties Conference on the Protection of Haramain Sharifain, Yousuf said Pakistan was prepared to fulfil its commitments under its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia.
“The Government of Pakistan has already made an agreement with the Kingdom … We are already prepared for this,” he said, adding that Islamabad stood by its commitments under the agreement.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis south of Makkah on Tuesday evening before it could enter the airspace over the holy city.
The Saudi-led coalition in the region described the security of Makkah and other holy sites as a “red line”, while the Houthis denied attempting to target Makkah or any other religious sites.
Addressing the conference, Yousuf strongly condemned the recent drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying Pakistan’s government and people would fully support the Kingdom in defending its territory and the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain.
Senator Abdul Karim, who hosted the conference, said participants had unanimously condemned the attacks and called for a joint response from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The conference was held amid an escalation in Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi territory in recent weeks. Pakistan has repeatedly condemned the attacks and reaffirmed its support for the Kingdom.
