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Pakistan will support Saudi Arabia “by any means” to defend it against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, offering one of Islamabad’s clearest indications yet that it could become directly involved in the expanding regional conflict, The Associated Press reported.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Rome on Tuesday, Asif said Pakistan’s military capabilities would be available to Saudi Arabia under a new mutual defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Asked whether Pakistani forces had already participated in airstrikes against Iran-backed groups in Yemen, Asif did not provide a direct answer.
“I am not going to go into details,” he said. “But obviously, when I say that we are obliged under this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, it means that whatever means are available to us will also be available to Saudi Arabia.”
“I think that is a clear statement,” he added.
His remarks, however, did not directly confirm that Pakistani forces had taken part in any airstrikes.
Asif also did not say whether Saudi Arabia, which has faced repeated attacks by the Houthis in recent weeks, had formally requested military assistance from Pakistan.
The comments come as regional tensions continue to escalate, raising questions about the extent of Pakistan’s military commitments under its new defence arrangement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
