Key Takeaways
- Pakistan committed to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia.
- Operational details of military responses remain confidential.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned a recent attempted drone attack on Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia, according to a Foreign Office spokesperson. The agreement, which includes the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance, is intended to bolster mutual defence and security cooperation between the two nations.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated that while Pakistan is committed to the agreements in 'intent and spirit', operational details regarding military responses remain confidential. He emphasized that these matters require 'operational confidentiality' and would remain discreet at this stage.
In response to a recent attempted drone attack targeting the holy sites of Makkah al-Mukarramah, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident. He expressed deep anguish over the attack and praised the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for their vigilance and response. Sharif called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation, while reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the attack, stating that it violated Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, offended the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide, and threatened regional peace and security. He urged for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences and prevent further escalation.
Pakistan has also condemned drone attacks targeting the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, which damaged the pipeline and injured civilians, according to the Foreign Office. The spokesperson noted that PM Shehbaz had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on September 13, reiterating Pakistan’s support for de-escalation and peace efforts in the region.
The Foreign Office spokesperson also briefed the media on recent diplomatic engagements with Lebanon, the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO RATS), Pakistan-China border cooperation, and Prime Minister Shehbaz’s upcoming visit to New York for the UN General Assembly session.
Separately, Pakistan had lodged a strong protest with India over an 'aggressive' manoeuvre by an Indian naval vessel in Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone on September 15 during a Pakistan Navy exercise. The incident resulted in contact between the two vessels, and Pakistan had asked India to adhere to international law and bilateral agreements aimed at preventing incidents at sea.
The Foreign Office also acknowledged the retirement of Foreign Secretary Ambassador Aamna Baloch, praising her more than three decades of service to Pakistan’s diplomatic corps. Prime Minister Shehbaz will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York next week, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, other federal ministers, and senior officials.
