Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Wednesday that there is no ambiguity regarding the application of the Mecca Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. His comments followed reports that Saudi Arabian air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone near the holy city of Mecca on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to Geo News, Asif affirmed that Pakistan is committed to its obligations under the trilateral agreement. He further noted that Pakistan’s responsibility to protect Islamic holy sites exists independently of formal pacts, stating that if Mecca were attacked, the defense of the city would be a priority regardless of existing agreements.
The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen reported that the intercepted drone was destroyed before it could enter prohibited airspace near Mecca. The coalition characterized the incident as the second attempt by Houthi forces to target the city. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree denied the allegation, asserting that the group’s operations are focused on Saudi military bases and oil facilities rather than religious sites.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also addressed the incident, expressing support for Saudi Arabia’s defense and condemning the attempted drone attack. He called for all parties involved to exercise restraint.
Regarding regional tensions, Asif stated that Pakistan has conveyed messages from Saudi Arabia to Iran. He expressed skepticism that the Iranian state would open a new front in the conflict, distinguishing between the actions of state authorities and non-state actors. Asif added that Islamabad intends to continue diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding.
The Defence Minister also highlighted concerns regarding the impact of regional instability on maritime trade routes, specifically the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, noting that disruptions in these areas are affecting Pakistan’s economy. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei condemned any aggression against Islamic holy sites but urged caution regarding the verification of claims surrounding the drone incident.
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