2 hrs ago
Pakistan General Pledges Extensive Defense of Saudi Arabia
Pakistan’s military said it will strongly support Saudi Arabia if the Kingdom is attacked.
A military spokesperson said this support could include sending physical help, not just making diplomatic statements.
He also said Pakistan would help protect Makkah and Madinah.
This came after reports of Houthi missile and drone attacks.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office had recently used more cautious language about whether troops would be involved.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye have a defense agreement treating an attack on one as an attack on all three.
The agreement’s exact military rules have not been made public.
Pakistan and China have also reportedly asked Iran to use its influence to reduce Houthi attacks.
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would defend Saudi Arabia “to any extent” against aggression.
Chaudhry said Pakistan’s support would be diplomatic and physical, including protection of Makkah and Madinah.
The statement was stronger than Pakistan’s Foreign Office position the previous week, which said no military response was being discussed.
A Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7 treats an attack on Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, or Turkiye as an attack on all three.
Pakistan reportedly has about 8,000 troops and air-defense assets deployed in Saudi Arabia, while Pakistan and China have sought Iran’s help restraining the Houthis.
- Who
- Pakistan’s military, represented by Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, and Saudi Arabia; the Houthis are identified as carrying out the reported attacks.
- What
- Pakistan pledged to defend Saudi Arabia “to any extent,” including physically and in protecting Makkah and Madinah.
- Where
- The pledge concerns Saudi Arabia, including Makkah and Madinah; related concerns involve the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- When
- The statement was reported on September 18, 2026, amid ongoing attacks; the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed on August 7, 2026.
- Why
- Pakistan said it would respond to aggression against Saudi Arabia, while Pakistan and China reportedly sought Iran’s help to contain Houthi attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.
Cautious Diplomatic Position
Expanded Military Commitment
Whether military action is imminent
Cautious Diplomatic Position
Pakistan’s Foreign Office previously said no military response was being discussed under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and that Islamabad would act “when the time comes.”
Expanded Military Commitment
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry later said Pakistan stood with Saudi Arabia both diplomatically and physically and would go “to any extent.”
Scope of protection
Cautious Diplomatic Position
The earlier public position did not specify an immediate military commitment under the agreement.
Expanded Military Commitment
Chaudhry said the pledge included protection of Makkah and Madinah, in addition to Saudi Arabia’s territorial defense.
Key facts
- Pakistan’s pledge
- Defense of Saudi Arabia “to any extent,” both diplomatically and physically.
- Religious sites mentioned
- Makkah and Madinah, Islam’s two holiest sites.
- Defense agreement
- The August 7 Makkah Joint Defence Agreement links attacks on Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, or Turkiye.
- Earlier official position
- Pakistan’s Foreign Office said no military response was being discussed and Islamabad would act “when the time comes.”
- Reported deployment
- Reuters reported that Pakistan had deployed around 8,000 troops, JF-17 fighter jets, drones, and an HQ-9 air-defense system to Saudi Arabia.
- Diplomatic outreach
- Pakistan and China reportedly sought Iran’s help in restraining the Houthis.
- Agreement details
- The operational details of the defense agreements have not been made public.
Quotes
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry
Director general of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations and military spokesperson
“There should be no doubt on that. We will continue to defend Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any aggression.”
news18.com
“Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically.”
news18.com
Sources
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