Pakistan PM Sharif Calls Saudi Crown Prince Twice, Praises Munir After Mecca Pact U-Turn

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke twice with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday as Islamabad faced criticism over its shifting position on the Mecca Defence Pact following recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Sharif confirmed the afternoon conversation in a post on X, saying Pakistan strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people.

Two Posts, Nearly Identical Statements

Sharif issued another post just minutes later, referring to the same conversation and repeating much of the language used in his earlier statement.

He praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and vision during the current regional tensions. Sharif also highlighted the roles of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, saying they would continue efforts aimed at reducing tensions and promoting regional peace and stability.

The repeated statements came amid scrutiny over Islamabad’s interpretation of its defence commitments to Saudi Arabia.

Why Pakistan Is Facing Questions

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed a defence agreement on August 7 that stated an attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all three. The agreement was seen as a significant development amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

Following the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif had indicated that the agreement could be activated if Saudi Arabia faced unprovoked aggression or if the conflict in Yemen spilled over into the Kingdom. He had also said Pakistan was obligated to provide assistance under the pact.

However, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry later appeared to qualify that position, saying there had been no discussion of a military response under the agreement following the Houthi attacks.

Islamabad argued that the pact is designed to address aggression by military establishments and does not automatically apply to attacks by the Houthis, who are a non-state armed group. This distinction has fueled questions over the scope of Pakistan’s defence commitment to Saudi Arabia and the circumstances under which the agreement could actually be invoked.

Sharif’s calls with the Saudi Crown Prince are therefore being viewed against the backdrop of the diplomatic pressure facing Islamabad to reassure Riyadh of its continued support.