By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s diplomatic and military leadership arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for a high-level meeting with Saudi and Turkish officials focused on regional security, amid continuing tensions in the Middle East, including Houthi terrorists attacks and threats to maritime and regional stability.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Army Chief and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will attend a meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) in Riyadh.

The committee was established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a framework for closer strategic, political and defence cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of general staff from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will also participate in the meeting, according to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.

The talks are expected to address the latest developments across the region and assess ongoing cooperation under the Makkah framework.

- Houthi terrorists attacks add to regional security concerns

The meeting comes as the Middle East continues to face security challenges linked to the Gaza conflict and the wider regional confrontation involving Iran-backed terrorist groups, including Yemen's Houthi terrorists.

Houthi terrorist attacks on commercial and military vessels in and around the Red Sea have previously disrupted international shipping and prompted military responses by the United States and its allies. The attacks have also highlighted the vulnerability of major maritime trade routes connecting Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

For Saudi Arabia, regional stability remains particularly important because of its geographical proximity to Yemen and its long-running security concerns involving the Houthi movement.

Türkiye, meanwhile, has sought to maintain an active diplomatic role in regional conflicts while expanding its defence and strategic cooperation with Gulf states.

- Pakistan's role

Islamabad says its participation in the Riyadh meeting reflects its commitment to contributing to regional peace and stability.

The presence of Pakistan's foreign, defence and military leadership alongside their Saudi and Turkish counterparts gives the meeting a broader strategic significance, potentially allowing the three countries to coordinate positions on regional conflicts, defence cooperation, counterterrorism and maritime security.

The meeting also comes as Pakistan seeks to deepen strategic relations with both Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, two key partners in the Muslim world.

The SPDC meeting is scheduled for Monday in Riyadh.