Pakistan on Thursday said it remained committed “in intent and spirit” to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance.

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the statement during his weekly briefing.

The statement comes amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels carrying out attacks in Saudi Arabia in recent days.

A day earlier, a Saudi-led coalition battling Houthis accused the rebels of targeting the holy city of Makkah, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and deepening the conflict roiling the region. However, the Houthis swiftly rejected Riyadh’s report as a “lie” that it shot down a drone from the rebels heading towards Makkah.

In response to a question on whether “any mechanism had been devised as to how Pakistan will ensure that recent Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia are thwarted,” the spokesperson held that Pakistan was committed to “implementing” the SDMA and the Makkah pact.

“However, when, how, where and what force will be used against what objectives, in which modes and matters [..] — operational confidentiality requires us to be discreet at this stage,” he added.

On being asked about the diplomatic efforts undertaken by Pakistan to “de-escalate and defuse” the Houthi issue, the spokesperson held, “Pakistan has for a long time [..] shared the perspective that we would like to have peace and stability because this is not only in the interest of Pakistan and Iran, but also the entire region and beyond”.

Khan termed the situation in Bab al-Mandeb “exceptionally serious” and went on to call on the Houthis to “stop their activities”.

“In this regard, our discussions basically revolve around bringing peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy and not through coercive measures,” he added.

PM Shehbaz to head to US next week for UNGA

In his press briefing, the spokesperson also announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, US, next week.

Khan said that the premier will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and several federal ministers.

FO said that at UNGA, PM Shehbaz, in his address, will “highlight Pakistan’s perspective on regional and global developments, reaffirming the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and restraint and peaceful resolution of issues”.

The premier is also expected to outline Pakistan’s priorities on “sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reforms and issues concerning the Global South.

He will also draw attention to the situation in India-occupied Kashmir and Palestine, FO added.

On the sidelines, PM Shehbaz is scheduled to participate in high-level events and hold bilateral engagements with world leaders and the UN secretary-general, where FO said he will highlight “Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, regional peace and international cooperation”.

More to follow.