No stipulation in Makkah pact bars 'direct involvement' in case of threat to a member: Asif

No stipulation in Makkah pact bars 'direct involvement' in case of threat to a member: Asif.

Key points

• News Desk Published October 8, 2026 Updated October 8, 2026 11: 35pm.
• Earlier this week, the ministry additionally termed a Reuters report claiming the deployment of 30, 000 to 40, 000 Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia as "speculative".
• Asif has additionally reaffirmed that Pakistan will "practically and diplomatically" stand by Saudi Arabia against Yemen's Houthi rebels if the situation escalates.
• The information ministry has dismissed a news report claiming that Pakistan Air Force aircraft were being applied against Yemen's Houthis as "fake and fabricated".
• It has gained relevance against the backdrop of renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

News Desk Published October 8, 2026 Updated October 8, 2026 11: 35pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif remarked on Thursday that no stipulation of the Makkah Defence Alliance barred the member states from getting "directly involved" in case of a threat to one of the members.

He remarked this during ARY News programme ' Khabar Muhammad Malick Ke Saath ' after he was asked concerning the possibility of Pakistan sending ground troops to Yemen against the backdrop of an escalating conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia under the alliance. It comprises Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara.

"To defend one of the member countries, the remaining two would get involved as if they are defending themselves, " he continued.

In practice, the Makkah defence pact was signed on Aug 7 to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them.

On Monday, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agreed to the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in the kingdom during an emergency session of the Makkah Defence Alliance in Riyadh. It was held to address the security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia.

For context, a statement issued by the Foreign Office after the moot remarked the member states had "decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defence commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the kingdom, in accordance with the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the parties, thereby enhancing readiness, military integration, and the collective capacity to confront and counter threats".

Separately, Asif, who was part of Pakistan's delegation in the session, joined Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath' via telephone the same day and stated Pakistan and Turkiye had a "presence in theatre", but only Saudi troops were involved in combat operations.

On Wednesday, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry additionally stated Pakistani troops were in Saudi Arabia, adding that they had been in the kingdom "for decades" and throughout multiple domains.

Earlier, on Sept 18, Lt Gen Chaudhry additionally stated Pakistan would go to "any extent" to defend the Gulf state, adding that Islamabad's commitment to the kingdom's security is "unconditional".

Asif has additionally reaffirmed that Pakistan will "practically and diplomatically" stand by Saudi Arabia against Yemen's Houthi rebels if the situation escalates. According to The defence minister, pakistan would fulfil all its obligations under the Makkah Defence Alliance in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the three countries.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has additionally asserted that the alliance is intended for collective deterrence and is defensive in nature.

Meanwhile, the information ministry has dismissed a news report claiming that Pakistan Air Force aircraft were being applied against Yemen's Houthis as "fake and fabricated".

In short, no stipulation in Makkah pact bars ' direct involvement' in case of threat is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.