Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his government continues to uphold “commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security” following a violent incident at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The prime minister described the strike as “heinous” and warned that attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure “are completely unacceptable and constitute a serious threat to regional peace and stability.”
The airport attack resulted in at least 12 fatalities, according to reports cited by Middle East Eye. Details on the perpetrators were not provided in the statement, but the incident has heightened concerns over security in the Gulf region.
Sharif’s remarks come less than a month after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. The trilateral pact was concluded shortly after Yemen’s Houthi movement launched a missile barrage aimed at Saudi territory, underscoring a broader pattern of escalating tensions across the Arabian Peninsula.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, described by the three signatories as a framework for mutual defence and security cooperation, reflects a growing alignment among the three nations amid regional instability. The timing of the accord, occurring days after the Houthi missile attacks, suggests a coordinated response to perceived threats.
In his comments, Sharif emphasized that Pakistan’s stance aligns with its longstanding partnership with Saudi Arabia, a relationship that spans economic, religious and security dimensions. By reaffirming support for Saudi sovereignty, the Pakistani government signalled its readiness to cooperate on security matters that affect both nations.
The condemnation of the airport attack and the reaffirmation of the defence pact were delivered amid a broader discourse on regional peace, with officials warning that any targeting of civilian infrastructure could destabilise the Gulf and surrounding areas. No further details on investigative or retaliatory measures were disclosed at the time of the statement.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/pakistan-reaffirms-commitment-saudi-arabias-sovereignty-after-airport.