Islamabad, Sept. 18 (SANA) Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security is unconditional and Islamabad would go to the “furthest extent” to stand by the Kingdom in the event of an attack, Pakistan Army spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said.
“Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, diplomatically and militarily, and I would like to emphasize the word militarily here, and we will go to the furthest extent,” Chaudhry told Arab News in an interview published Thursday.
He said Pakistan was committed to helping protect Mecca and Medina, describing ties between the two countries’ peoples, militaries and political leaderships as deeply rooted and historic.
Pakistan’s political and military leaderships remain in contact with Saudi officials, while Islamabad is consulting regional governments in pursuit of a “peaceful and negotiated solution” to the war in the Middle East, Chaudhry said.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7, under which an armed attack on any of the three countries is considered an attack on all three.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier condemned an attempted Houthi militia drone attack on Mecca. Saudi defenses intercepted and destroyed the drone south of the city.
Sharif expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for the Kingdom in defending its sovereignty and the security of the Two Holy Mosques.
kA/ABD
