Pakistan pledges unconditional defence of Saudi Arabia amid Gulf tensions

Speaking to Arab News on Thursday, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Pakistani army’s public affairs chief, made it crystal clear that Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia “to any extent”. He didn’t just mean diplomatic backing – he emphasized the word “physically”, hinting at the possibility of troops, equipment or other tangible support.

The comment comes at a time when the Gulf kingdom is grappling with a spate of attacks launched by Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels. In recent days the Houthis have struck Saudi soil and, more strategically, taken control of the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait – the chokepoint that funnels much of the world’s oil through the Red Sea.

Pakistani officials seem eager to reassure their Saudi partners that the historic friendship between the two nations remains unshaken. “Our commitment to Saudi security is unconditional,” Chaudhry said, invoking the “deep‑rooted, historical and unbreakable bond” that ties Islamabad to Riyadh.

That sentiment is not merely rhetorical. Just a month ago, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a pact that treats an attack on any signatory as an attack on all three. The treaty, signed in the holy city of Mecca, was meant to formalise a security triangle that could counteract the growing influence of Iran and its proxies in the region.

When pressed about whether Pakistan would act under the Makkah pact against the Houthis, Chaudhry answered without hesitation: “We have already been there for the protection of Haramain Sharifain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” His words suggest that logistical and perhaps even combat support could be on the table if the Saudi leadership asks for it.

Analysts note that Pakistan’s pledge, while symbolic, also serves a pragmatic purpose. Islamabad has long relied on Saudi oil revenue and financial aid, and a firm stance helps keep that relationship warm. Moreover, the move signals to Tehran and its allies that Pakistan is not willing to sit on the sidelines while the balance of power shifts in the Gulf.

For now, the real test will be whether any concrete assistance follows the verbal commitment. Until then, the Pakistani army’s declaration adds another layer to an already volatile security landscape, where words and deeds alike are being watched closely by regional and global powers.