ISLAMABAD/JEDDAH (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Pakistan will continue working to ease regional tensions and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia following recent Houthi attacks on the kingdom.
During a telephone conversation on Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian and economic infrastructure, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister warned that the attacks posed a threat to regional peace and security and could further affect the global economy, energy supplies and international markets.
PM Shehbaz told Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would continue efforts aimed at reducing tensions and promoting peace in the region.
He also praised the Saudi crown prince for what he described as his “wise and sagacious leadership” during the ongoing crisis.
The prime minister conveyed his regards to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
According to the PM Office, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appreciated Pakistan’s support and its efforts for regional peace and stability.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact and expressed their desire to meet again at an early date.
Renewed Attacks Raise Regional Security Concerns
The telephone conversation comes amid heightened tensions in the region following recent attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Earlier this week, Houthi attacks targeted oil installations in Saudi Arabia, reportedly injuring 73 people. A key Saudi oil pipeline was also temporarily affected after drones launched from Iraq targeted the facility.
The developments have raised concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure and the possible wider impact on regional stability and global energy supplies.
Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye Defence Pact
The situation also comes against the backdrop of a defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in August.
The pact seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and provides for an attack against one signatory to be treated as an attack against all three countries.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier warned that the agreement could become operational if the conflict in Yemen spilled over into Saudi Arabia.
However, the Foreign Office rejected speculation that Pakistan was considering joining Saudi Arabia in military action against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The Foreign Office said the newly signed defence agreement was still being finalised and should not yet be interpreted as having been operationalised.
