Pakistani defense minister: time has come to implement Mecca defense pact after Houthi attacks

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the “time has come” to implement the Mecca defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, following the series of drone attacks by Houthi rebels against the kingdom.

In an interview with Pakistani television channel Geo News, Asif said Islamabad remains committed to defending Saudi Arabia, its key ally, and that Pakistan has conveyed Saudi Arabia’s message to Iran regarding concerns over Houthi attacks.

“I don’t think Iran, as a state, will open another front,” Asif said, adding that the Iranians are already “in a very difficult situation.” According to him, Pakistan will continue efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding.

The Mecca defense pact, recently announced by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, was presented as a signal to the Islamic world for the protection of holy sites, at a time when the Houthis have attempted drone attacks even toward Mecca.

Source: Al Jazeera — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/9/17/iran-war-live-trump-says-us-nearing-end-of-war-claims-tehran-direct-talks