Pakistan reaffirms commitment to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty after airport attack

The FO expressed concern over the casualties, extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery. It said the continued targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure by the Houthi militia was unacceptable and called for unequivocal condemnation by the international community.

“Such brazen and indiscriminate acts of aggression cannot be justified under any circumstances and must cease immediately,” the statement said. Reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with the Saudi leadership, the Foreign Office said Islamabad remained committed to the kingdom’s security and defence under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

It also referred to a decision taken by the agreement’s Strategic, Political and Defence Committee on October 5, when member states agreed to the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. The FO expressed support for Riyadh’s right to defend itself against threats and acts of aggression.

It also urged Yemen’s Houthi movement to stop its attacks and called on the international community to adopt a firm stance against them. “Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, resolute in its commitment to the kingdom’s sovereignty, security and defence,” the statement added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also condemned the attack, describing the targeting of civilian and critical infrastructure as completely unacceptable and a serious threat to regional peace and stability. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has blamed the Houthis for the strike on King Khalid International Airport, describing it as a “full-fledged war crime”.

A diplomatic source attributed the attack to a missile. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi airports, oil facilities and tankers following the collapse of a truce in their long-running conflict with Yemen’s coalition-backed government in July.

The group also claimed a series of strikes on Thursday that reportedly killed three people and damaged an aircraft, although it did not announce any new attacks on Saturday. Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia amid the escalating tensions.

On October 5, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agreed to the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities during an emergency meeting of the Makkah defence pact in Riyadh.