Pakistan on Sunday expressed “complete solidarity” with Saudi Arabia after recent Houthi attacks on the kingdom, and warned that the strikes threaten regional security and global energy supplies.
Sharif condemned what he described as Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on 9 September that there should be no ambiguity over the commitment of the arrangement and an unprovoked attack on a member, or the spillover of the conflict in Yemen into Saudi Arabia, could activate the pact’s collective-defence provisions.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed the support to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a phone call, according to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office. He said the strikes could further disrupt the global economy and energy supplies. “While expressing complete solidarity with the Saudi leadership as well as the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister stated that the recent Houthi actions threatened regional peace and security and could further disrupt the global economy and energy supplies,” the Pakistan PMO statement said. Sharif also said he, Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar would continue efforts to reduce tensions and restore peace in West Asia. The Saudi crown prince appreciated Islamabad’s efforts for peace and stability in the region, said the statement, adding that the two leaders agreed to remain in close contact and expressed hope of meeting soon.
Saudi authorities said a projectile fired by the Houthis injured two people and damaged several buildings, including a mosque, on Saturday – part of a broader Houthi campaign against Saudi Arabia that has included missile and drone strikes on cities and energy facilities.
