Pakistan PM warns against attacks on Mecca, calls it 'red line'

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has drawn a firm line against attacks on Mecca, saying no Muslim could contemplate such a 'heinous act' during remarks at the United Nations. His statement comes in response to allegations by Saudi Arabia that Yemen's Houthi movement has launched drone strikes targeting the Islamic holy city.

Sharif's comments reflect deep concern across the Muslim world over the reported attacks on Mecca, one of Islam's most sacred sites and a destination for millions of pilgrims annually. The Pakistani premier's invocation of a 'red line' signals that further assaults on the holy city would cross a threshold that could prompt wider regional responses.

The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has previously claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabian targets, citing the kingdom's military operations in Yemen. However, attacking Mecca represents a significant escalation that has drawn condemnation from Muslim-majority nations and international observers.

Sharif's remarks underscore Pakistan's alignment with Saudi Arabia on security matters and reflect broader efforts by Muslim nations to unite against threats to Islam's holiest sites. The statement carries particular weight given Pakistan's own geopolitical significance in South Asia and its historical ties to the Kingdom.