NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s strongest condemnation of recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed that Pakistan stood unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder, with the Kingdom in safeguarding its security.
In his message on Saudi National Day, observed annually on September 23, the prime minister said any threat to the sanctity and security of the Haramain Sharifain deeply wounds the sentiments of Muslims around the world.
He referred to the recent attempted drone attack near the holy city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Saudi authorities said the drone was intercepted, while the Houthis have denied targeting Makkah.
Extending his warmest felicitations to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the people of Saudi Arabia, Shehbaz said the Kingdom’s remarkable journey of progress and transformation was a source of pride and admiration for both the Saudi and Pakistani peoples.
The prime minister, who is currently in New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, said that under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia continued to make impressive strides towards greater prosperity, modernisation and innovation.
Shehbaz said Pakistan took immense pride in its historic and time-tested brotherhood with Saudi Arabia, rooted in faith, mutual trust and strong people-to-people ties.
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“Today, under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this brotherhood is growing into an even stronger strategic partnership, underpinned by our shared commitment to peace, security and the unity of the Muslim Ummah. Together, we have proudly signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” he said.
The prime minister concluded his message with a reaffirmation of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia brotherhood and prayed that the relationship between the two countries would continue to grow from strength to strength.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close relations rooted in historical, religious and people-to-people ties, with cooperation extending across political, economic, defence and regional issues.
The two countries, along with Türkiye, signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, further strengthening their strategic and defence cooperation.
