Pakistani Defense Minister: The time has come to activate the Makkah Agreement

Islamabad – Riyadh – Agencies: Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif affirmed that the time has come to implement the Mecca Agreement, amid the recent escalation in attacks by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In remarks to the local Geo channel, the minister emphasized that Islamabad’s commitment to protecting Saudi Arabia and its holy sites remains steadfast and ongoing. He clarified that this protection constitutes a moral and doctrinal obligation that Pakistan upholds even in the absence of any formal agreement, and is not contingent upon the existence of the Mecca Agreement.

The minister disclosed that Islamabad had conveyed a Saudi message to Tehran, reflecting growing concerns over the attacks launched by Houthi forces. Regarding Iran’s stance on this escalation, the minister ruled out the possibility of Tehran, as a state, supporting the Houthis in a manner that would open a new front of war in the region. He added that Pakistan will continue its efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding to additional fronts.

On the ground, Saudi Civil Defense announced yesterday that one person was killed and two others injured by falling debris following the interception of a drone in the Taif province in the western part of the Kingdom. In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the official spokesperson for Civil Defense stated: “On Thursday, Civil Defense in Taif province responded to falling debris from a drone after it was intercepted and destroyed. The drone was launched by the terrorist Houthi militia. The incident resulted in the death of a Yemeni resident – may God have mercy on him – and injuries to a Saudi female citizen and a Pakistani resident, whose condition is critical. Material damage was also sustained by several buildings and vehicles. Standard procedures for such cases were carried out.”