Pakistan stands ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Saudi Arabia, says PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, saying Islamabad stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the kingdom as tensions involving Yemen’s Houthi movement continue to rise.

In a message marking Saudi Arabia’s National Day on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the Saudi leadership and people on the kingdom’s progress and transformation. He also strongly condemned recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including an attempted drone attack near Makkah.

The prime minister said threats to the security of the Haramain Sharifain deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the world.

“Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder, with the kingdom in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites,” he said.

Shehbaz praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, saying Saudi Arabia was making significant advances in prosperity, modernisation and innovation.

He also highlighted the growing strategic relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh, describing their ties as a partnership based on shared commitments to peace, security and Muslim unity.

The prime minister pointed to two key defence arrangements involving Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed in September 2025, an attack on either country is to be treated as an act of aggression against both.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye later signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, under which an attack against one member is treated as an attack against all.

Shehbaz said the agreements reflected the strengthening of security cooperation among the countries.

His message comes amid renewed fighting between Yemen’s Houthis and the Yemeni government, with Saudi Arabia increasingly drawn into the confrontation. The Houthis have also announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and targeted ships in the Red Sea, adding to concerns over regional security and shipping routes.

Pakistan’s military leadership has also issued strong statements in support of Saudi Arabia. On September 18, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would go “to any extent” to defend the kingdom, describing Islamabad’s commitment to Saudi security as unconditional.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has likewise said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia both practically and diplomatically if the situation escalates.

As Riyadh faces renewed security challenges, Islamabad’s latest statements underline the increasingly close defence and strategic relationship between the two countries.