Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia could trigger Makkah defence pact, warns Pakistan

• Pakistan bound by defence pact's terms: defence minister.
• Asif says Israel would want Iran-US conflict to continue.
• Hopes int'l pressure will contribute to peace in Middle East.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Houthi attacks on Saudi territory would invoke the Makkah Defence Alliance, a tripartite defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

"Under the trilateral agreement, any aggression against any of the three [countries] is regarded as an aggression against all. There is no ambiguity about that," he said while speaking on Geo News' programme "Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath" on Tuesday.

At least 71 people were injured on Tuesday after Houthis launched an attack on several cities in Saudi Arabia, further undermining stability in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks, terming them a "cowardly" act that endangered innocent lives and threatened regional peace and security.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast support for the kingdom's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

Speaking during the show, the defence minister said that unprovoked aggression or the spillover from Yemen into Saudi Arabia "will definitely" operationalise the Makkah Defence Alliance.

"There should be no doubt about it. We are bound by the terms and conditions of this pact, and we will honour them in case there is a need," he added.

However, Asif said that Islamabad hoped the situation would be brought under control and eventually subside.

The trilateral agreement — signed between Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara on August 7 — provides for collective security and defence cooperation among the three states.

The pact was signed amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the conflict that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran and targeted its senior leadership.

On Pakistan's mediation efforts between the US and Iran, the defence minister said that Islamabad's efforts to broker peace were still ongoing.

The defence minister said that Pakistan wanted an environment that could help reduce tensions in the region. "There are contacts, even if they are indirect."

Pakistan, which emerged as a key mediator between the US and Iran, achieved a historic diplomatic victory on June 15 when Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for peace in the region.

Islamabad has since continued to facilitate communication between the two sides and promote dialogue, de-escalation and a peaceful resolution.

While Asif warned that Israel would want the Iran-US conflict to continue, he expressed optimism about international pressure contributing to peace in the region.

"Peace will be established in the region and Israel will have to pay a price," Asif said.