Pakistan rejects NYT ‘fabricated’ report of PAF aircraft being used against Houthis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected as “fake and fabricated” a New York Times report claiming the employment of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft against the Yemen’s Houthis from Saudi Arabia.

In a fact-check issued on Thursday, the ministry said the New York Times story, titled “Explosions Heard in Riyadh After Saudis Say Houthi Attacks Killed 3 in Kingdom”, contained an incorrect attribution regarding the employment of PAF aircraft.

“NYT above referred story attributing employment of PAF aircraft against Houthis is fake and fabricated,” the ministry said while sharing a screenshot of the story on X.

It also urged international media organisations to refrain from speculative reporting regarding the employment of Pakistan’s armed forces under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

“International Media houses are again asked to avoid speculative reporting with regards to employment of Pakistan’s Military Forces under Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” the ministry said.

The ministry clarified that any decision regarding the employment of Pakistani military forces, if required, would be communicated by the relevant authorities.

“Details of any employment, if necessary will be given by concerned authorities,” it added.

The clarification comes amid an escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, with multiple explosions reported in Riyadh on Thursday.

The Houthis have claimed attacks targeting the Saudi capital and other sites in the kingdom, while Saudi authorities have reported interceptions of missiles launched towards Riyadh and other areas.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had agreed earlier to arrangements allowing rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

The agreement was discussed during an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the three countries in Riyadh on October 5.

“The Committee decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defence commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

The latest clarification follows previous instances of unverified reports concerning Pakistani aircraft in Saudi Arabia. In September, the Ministry of Information had also rejected reports claiming that Houthi missiles had damaged Pakistani JF-17 fighter aircraft at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The ministry’s latest statement comes as Saudi Arabia faces renewed Houthi attacks amid a wider regional conflict, with Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom coming under missile and drone threats.