Pakistan Stands Shoulder to Shoulder With Saudi Arabia, Vows PM Shehbaz Amid Houthi Attacks

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for Saudi Arabia, pledging to stand alongside the kingdom in protecting its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, Shehbaz reiterated the commitment during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s newly arrived ambassador, Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy, in Islamabad.

Welcoming the Saudi envoy, the prime minister congratulated him on assuming his new responsibilities and wished him success in his diplomatic assignment.

During the meeting, Shehbaz said Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations had made remarkable progress in recent years. He also reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening existing institutional mechanisms and expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Shehbaz Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

The prime minister strongly condemned the recent escalation in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, which reportedly resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians, including Pakistani nationals.

A day earlier, the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said the Houthis had attempted to target dozens of Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities as fighting between the group and Saudi Arabia intensified.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki said at a press conference that the Houthis had launched 20 attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh during the month. He reported that the attacks had killed 17 people and injured 333 others.

The airport, one of Saudi Arabia’s main international aviation hubs, was among the civilian infrastructure targeted in what the coalition described as a series of attacks.

Defence Agreement Marks Strategic Milestone

Shehbaz told the Saudi ambassador that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had consistently supported each other through challenging times.

He described the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance as historic milestones in the countries’ longstanding fraternal relations, reflecting their shared commitment to regional peace and security.

The prime minister also thanked the Saudi leadership for its longstanding economic and financial assistance to Pakistan.

Shehbaz assured Albugamy of Islamabad’s full support and cooperation during his diplomatic assignment, expressing confidence that the two countries would continue strengthening their longstanding ties.