Islamabad, September 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan’s defence commitments to Saudi Arabia have come under scrutiny following renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi territory, with a report questioning how far Islamabad’s security obligations extend beyond diplomatic deterrence.
A report published by Eurasia Review said the renewed Houthi assault has brought into focus whether Pakistan’s role under its defence agreements involves an operational military commitment or primarily serves as a deterrent arrangement.
Pakistan signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia in September 2025. Under the agreement, aggression against either country is treated as aggression against both.
The arrangement was followed by the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Mecca agreement states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all, according to the report.
Pakistan is also part of the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition, announced by Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries on July 30 and operational since September 2. Pakistani Commodore Rashid Sheikh serves as the coalition’s deputy commander, the second-highest position in the force.
Islamabad has presented the Mecca agreement as a framework for collective deterrence and regional stability. However, the report noted that Pakistan’s response during the latest escalation has remained cautious.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on September 10 that no military response under the Mecca Agreement was being discussed, according to the report.
The renewed Houthi campaign has targeted locations and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran.
The situation became particularly sensitive on September 15, when Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace.
Saudi coalition spokesperson Major General Turki al-Malki described the security of Mecca, Medina and pilgrims as a “red line”, according to the report.
The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, leaving the intended target disputed. The incident nevertheless brought the conflict closer to an area of particular political and religious sensitivity for Pakistan.
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