The Pakistan Army has declared it will go “to any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia against mounting attacks, as escalating Houthi strikes put new collective-defense agreements between Islamabad and Riyadh to the test.
Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry made the commitment during an interview on Thursday, emphasizing that Pakistan’s support for the Kingdom extends beyond diplomatic gestures.
Unconditional Commitment to Saudi Security
“Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically,” Chaudhry stated. “And I would like to underscore here the word physically … We will go to any extent.”
The ISPR chief said Pakistan’s commitment included protecting Saudi Arabia and Islam’s two holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah.
“There should be no doubt on that,” he said. “So, in a nutshell, we are there and we will continue to defend Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any aggression.”
Chaudhry characterized the relationship between the two nations as deeply rooted and unbreakable.
“Our commitment to the Saudi security is unconditional,” he said. “It stems from an emotive, a deep rooted, historical and unbreakable bond between the people of Pakistan, between the people of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between the political and the military leadership of both countries.”
No Disclosure on Specific Military Requests
When asked whether Riyadh had requested Pakistani troops, air-defense systems, or direct participation against the Houthis, Chaudhry declined to disclose whether such a request had been made.
He noted that Pakistan’s politico-military leadership remains in continuous communication with Saudi leadership on all such matters.
Diplomatic Push for Peaceful Resolution
Beyond military commitments, Chaudhry said Pakistan’s political leadership, Foreign Office, and other officials were consulting regional governments to seek “a negotiated and peaceful outcome” to the wider crisis.
He described the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as “a consensus document which we think provides the only real pathway forward for getting out of this complex military situation.”
Asked whether Pakistan expected to bring Washington and Tehran back to negotiations soon, Chaudhry gave no timetable, saying Islamabad continued to search for common ground despite mistrust and what he described as “spoilers” and “detractors.”
“So that effort keeps on going,” he said.
Key Points
- Pakistan Army spokesperson vows to defend Saudi Arabia “to any extent”
- Commitment described as unconditional and rooted in historical bonds
- No confirmation on whether Saudi Arabia requested specific military assets
- Pakistan actively pursuing diplomatic channels for peaceful resolution
- Islamabad MoU positioned as pathway out of complex military situation
