Pakistan Will Take All Necessary Steps to Protect Saudi Arabia: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: (Special Reporter) – Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security amid reported escalation in Houthi threats.

In an interview with Independent Arabia, the military spokesperson said Saudi Arabia’s security and the protection of Haramain al-Sharifain, the Two Holy Mosques, remained paramount and non-negotiable for Pakistan.

Speaking about the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan’s commitment to the arrangement was unequivocal. He added that Islamabad was providing, and would continue to provide, the necessary support to Riyadh to safeguard its security.

Addressing concerns over a possible escalation by the Houthis, the DG ISPR said Pakistan had conveyed clear messages through military deployments, official statements and operational measures that the alliance’s collective deterrence mechanism was already in effect.

He emphasised that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to protect Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial integrity, adding that the message had been communicated to all relevant actors.

The military spokesperson also called for greater unity among Muslim countries, warning that confrontation would not benefit the nations involved. He said Pakistan’s political and military leadership was working to encourage de-escalation and promote peaceful solutions to regional disputes.

Highlighting progress under the alliance, he pointed to the establishment of its General Secretariat and Strategic Political and Defence Committee, saying the arrangement was also taking practical shape on the ground.

On the possibility of expanding the alliance, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said it was not limited to the three participating countries. He said other states committed to collective deterrence, regional peace, stability and security could also join.

He further confirmed reports that Egypt and Syria had expressed interest in joining the Makkah agreement.

Responding to questions about whether the alliance was aimed at specific countries, including Israel or Iran, the DG ISPR said it was not directed against any particular state. Instead, he explained, its collective deterrence mechanism was intended to address threats to regional peace and security.

He added that any aggression against a participating country would trigger a collective response under the alliance’s deterrence framework.