ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has denied reports that Islamabad is seriously considering an imminent military strike against Yemen’s Houthi, who recently targeted Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles.
Addressing the weekly media briefing on Thursday, MOFA spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said there were currently no discussions regarding military action against the Houthi under the Makkah Defence Pact. He added that “Pakistan would react when the time comes.”
Pakistan strongly condemns the reprehensible Houthi attacks targeting civilian and economic sites in Saudi Arabia, he said. He added that Pakistan also reaffirmed its unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity, and stands in full solidarity with its leadership, government and brotherly people. Pakistan, he said, would continue to support efforts to promote lasting peace and stability in the region.
To a query, the Foreign Office spokesperson added that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was already in place and Pakistan will play its due role as per the pact, stressing that there is no option under discussion among the three parties to expand the military arrangement.
Haider elaborated that the agreement is a purely defensive alliance, whose primary objective is to ensure security in the region through deterrence. He clarified that the three founding countries, Pakistan, KSA, and Turkiye, need to strengthen the organization and cooperation before going for any further expansion.
Responding to a question, he rejected reports in the international media suggesting that Pakistan has warned Iran, calling it baseless, stating Pakistan would take decisions on trade agreements with Tehran in accordance with its national interest.
The spokesperson announced that Pakistan would host the 14th South Asian Games from 4 to 11 April 2027, with competitions being held across Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The eight-day event will feature 28 sports and is expected to attract over 6,000 athletes and officials from across South Asia.
To another query, Sajjad Haider Khan denied the reports that Qatar has halted issuance of visas to Pakistani nationals, saying nothing has been communicated in this regard. He also dispelled the impression that the UAE has stopped or curtailed visa issuance to Pakistanis, stressing that the country has issued visas seven times more than last year.
Pakistan categorically rejected the false and politically motivated assertions made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the Hindu temple at Adda Siraj, Narowal.
Contrary to India’s claims, the temple structure was damaged on 21 July 2026 due to torrential rains, following which local authorities surveyed the damage and initiated measures for restoration. Pakistan deplores India’s deliberate distortion of facts and its attempt to divert attention from its own record of systematic persecution of minorities and attacks on their places of worship.
In the same vein, Pakistan strongly condemns the demolition of a century-old mosque in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on 5 September 2026. The destruction of a historic Islamic place of worship is yet another manifestation of the broader Islamophobic and Hindutva-driven campaign targeting Islamic heritage in India, which intensified following the demolition of the 464-year-old Babri Masjid in 1992.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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