Pakistan warns of potential activation of Saudi defence pact amid Houthi strikes

Pakistan has signaled readiness to activate a defence pact with Saudi Arabia should Yemen's Houthi rebels continue their military operations against the kingdom, according to statements from Islamabad on Tuesday.

The caution reflects Pakistan's commitment to the mutual defence agreement signed with Saudi Arabia, which includes provisions for military assistance in the event of external threats. Pakistani officials have indicated that persistent attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement could trigger invocation of these obligations.

The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has conducted repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Saudi Arabia over the past year. These attacks have intensified regional security concerns and prompted neighboring states to reassess their strategic commitments.

Pakistan's statement underscores the broader geopolitical realignment in the Middle East, where regional powers are calibrating their defence postures in response to heightened tensions. The warning also highlights Islamabad's balancing act between maintaining ties with both Saudi Arabia and Iran, as it seeks to prevent the escalation of conflict in the Arabian Peninsula.

Officials in Islamabad stopped short of announcing any immediate military deployment, maintaining that such action would depend on the nature and scope of future Houthi operations and formal requests from Riyadh.