Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan will protect Saudi Arabia with "full force," emphasizing that the kingdom's safety matters just as much to Islamabad as guarding its own borders.
During an appearance on a private news channel, the minister talked about diplomatic talks in the region involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Türkiye during tensions concerning the Houthis.
"It is incumbent upon us that we defend Saudi Arabia," the defence minister mentioned, after a gathering in Tehran where Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met with top representatives from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. The four nations resolved to keep talking to build better regional ties.
Mentioning strikes directed at Saudi Arabia, Asif stated: "We will defend Saudi Arabia with full force." He mentioned that ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reach past official pacts and Islamabad will give total backing to Riyadh.
"Just as the defence of Pakistan is paramount, the defence of Saudi Arabia is equally paramount for us," he stated.
The minister additionally mentioned a pact where, according to him, three nations made a formal written pledge to collectively answer threats included in the agreement.
"God willing, now that three countries are involved, by agreement also, we will defend each other's territory against any foreign aggression," he stated.
Regional Peace Efforts
Asif was answering an inquiry concerning a Tehran gathering that included Pakistan's army chief, the Saudi defence minister, and Türkiye's intelligence chief, and if those talks connected to Houthi strikes or a broader conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The defence minister stated he felt the effort connected more closely to events involving Saudi Arabia, though American military steps likely came up in talks too.
"America, definitely, that would also have been discussed, it's not as if it wasn't discussed," he stated.
Asif stated the attendance of top Saudi and Turkish officials in Tehran showed the importance of the diplomatic talks. He noted that the field marshal made the diplomatic push happen.
He stated he felt some headway happened and trusted peace could come through Iranian efforts and participation from other nations.
He additionally mentioned past strikes aimed at Riyadh airport and strikes directed at the Haramain Sharifain, calling those incidents "very unfortunate."
'Some Sort of Conclusion'
The defence minister stated Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other nations inside the security structure worked on lowering tensions.
"My view is that we have arrived at some sort of conclusion that can fulfil the requirements to stop this war," he stated.
Asif stated he stayed "slightly guarded" regarding the results but trusted clearer details would come out via announcements from Iran and participating nations.
He additionally stated diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan's leaders are "yielding results," and mentioned headway could happen in lowering tensions involving the United States and bringing peace.
