PM Sharif reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom, including strikes targeting its airports and oil infrastructure.

The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with newly appointed Saudi Ambassador Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy, who called on him in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Shehbaz strongly condemned the recent escalation in Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, which had resulted in loss of precious lives and injuries to several people, including Pakistani nationals.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always stood shoulder to shoulder,” the prime minister said, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to standing by the kingdom in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

He described the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as historic milestones in the two countries’ longstanding brotherly relations, reflecting their shared commitment to regional peace and security.

The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to strengthen existing institutional mechanisms to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

The statement came as Yemen’s Houthi movement vowed to continue attacking Saudi airports and oil facilities following a strike on the headquarters of oil giant Saudi Aramco in Dhahran.

On October 14, the Houthis claimed to have launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at Aramco facilities in Dhahran, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an Aramco refinery in the Saudi capital.

The group declared the targeted facilities legitimate military targets and urged international shipping companies, civilians and workers to evacuate airports and oil installations.

Three people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the attack on Aramco’s headquarters had caused extensive damage, with a fire spreading across several floors. A company source said an office tower had been hit, damaging its top three floors.

Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry, however, described the fire as limited and said there had been no deaths or injuries at the Aramco headquarters. The company continued operating, with some employees working from home and certain functions shifted to overseas offices, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh on October 14. Several loud booms were heard in the capital, although their cause was not immediately established.

The attacks followed a deadly strike on Riyadh’s international airport on October 10, which killed 13 people and wounded more than 300, according to Reuters. A further attack on the airport on October 11 killed a Pakistani national and injured 11 other people, Saudi authorities said on October 12.

Saudi authorities closed Riyadh’s international airport until October 17, while airlines cancelled flights to the kingdom.

The Houthis said their attacks were retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemeni government forces amid renewed fighting in Yemen, which has intensified alongside the wider confrontation involving the United States and Iran.

PM thanks Saudi leadership for support

During his meeting with the Saudi ambassador, Shehbaz thanked the Saudi leadership for its longstanding economic and financial assistance to Pakistan.

He welcomed Albugamy to Pakistan, congratulated him on assuming his new diplomatic responsibilities and wished him success in his assignment.

The prime minister also assured the ambassador of Pakistan’s full support and cooperation in further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relationship.