Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2026. He stated that any threat to the sanctity of the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina is a 'red line that must never be crossed.' Sharif described the recent Houthi attacks as 'deplorable' and noted that such actions have outraged Muslims globally. The Houthis have denied the accusations, calling them a 'heinous lie.'
Last month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which stipulates that an attack on any member will be treated as an attack on all. Despite this, both Islamabad and Ankara have not engaged directly in the conflict with the Houthis.
Military chiefs from the three countries met in Riyadh on the same day to discuss enhancing intelligence sharing and military coordination. The Pakistani military reported that they reviewed the security situation and affirmed their commitment to collective defense.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a written interview with Newsweek, indicated that support for Riyadh could include intelligence, logistics, or ammunition, depending on the threat level.
In his speech, Sharif also addressed the US-Israeli conflict involving Iran and highlighted Pakistan's role as a co-mediator, referencing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict. He emphasized the need for diplomacy amid ongoing violence, particularly concerning key maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb waterway.
Sharif condemned Israel’s actions in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, echoing sentiments from Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He also criticized India's management of the Indus waters, warning that any attempt to impede Pakistan’s share would be seen as an act of war. Furthermore, he raised concerns about the Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) operating from Afghanistan, insisting that attacks from Afghanistan must cease. This statement follows recent cross-border fighting that resulted in casualties among Afghan Taliban fighters.