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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned a ‘dastardly and heinous’ attempted Houthi drone attack on Makkah, saying Pakistan stood firmly with Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty and the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain – a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart,” said PM Shehbaz in a statement on X.
The statement came after Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city, while the Saudi-led coalition said the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims was a “red line,” vowing that the coalition would take measures to deter further attacks.
Expressing solidarity with the kingdom, PM Shehbaz said that the people of Pakistan were saddened and perturbed by this outrageous act, adding that, “There can be no words strong enough to capture the depth of anguish and sorrow felt by us at this reprehensible and unforgivable act.”
The prime minister praised the Saudi forces for their response, saying Pakistan “salute the extraordinary vigilance, courage, and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces” for their “swift and heroic action”.
The premier also called on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.
“I once again call upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to step back from the brink of further escalation. Our region has already suffered far too much from conflict. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path towards peace,” the prime minister added.
audi Arabia issued security alerts across parts of the country on Tuesday, including in Mecca and other cities, following a week of attacks by Iran-aligned fighters that have drawn the kingdom deeper into the US-Iran war.
A Houthi military source denied the group posed any threat to Mecca or other holy sites, in comments carried by the Houthi-run SABA news agency on Tuesday. Source: Express Tribune.
