By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan will stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia in defending its sovereignty and the security of the Haramain Sharifain, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Thursday, conveying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s strong condemnation of the reported attempted drone attack targeting the holy city of Makkah.

Speaking at the Foreign Ministry’s weekly briefing in Islamabad, Haider said the prime minister had condemned the incident in the strongest terms and praised the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for what he described as their “extraordinary vigilance, courage and professionalism” in responding to the threat.

The prime minister also urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and step back from further escalation, saying dialogue and diplomacy remained the only sustainable path toward peace.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar separately condemned the reported Houthi drone attack, saying it violated Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, offended the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide and threatened regional peace and security. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the security of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of pilgrims, citizens and residents.

- Pakistan concerned over wider Saudi attacks

The spokesperson said Pakistan was closely following the evolving situation in the Middle East amid continued Houthi attacks.

Islamabad had earlier condemned drone attacks on civilian and economic targets in the Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. Pakistan said such attacks threatened regional peace and stability and reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.

Pakistan also condemned drone attacks targeting the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which Islamabad said caused damage to the infrastructure and injuries to civilians.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by telephone with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on Sept. 13, reiterating Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for efforts aimed at de-escalation and peace.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan remained concerned about the broader consequences of the regional escalation, including risks to maritime navigation, regional security and global energy supplies.

- Pakistan backs diplomacy over escalation

Islamabad continues to call for dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving regional disputes.

The Foreign Office has previously described the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a defensive arrangement intended to strengthen regional peace and stability. At its Sept. 10 briefing, the Foreign Office said the agreement was “purely for defensive purposes” and that the three countries were maintaining consultations.

- Lebanon and Pakistan deepen security cooperation

The spokesperson also highlighted Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar’s two-day official visit to Pakistan from Sept. 14-15.

During the visit, Pakistan and Lebanon reviewed bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with growing cooperation in interior and security affairs.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the transfer of sentenced persons, creating a legal framework under which convicted nationals can serve the remainder of their sentences in their respective home countries.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met Al-Hajjar and discussed strengthening law-enforcement cooperation and people-to-people contacts.

- Pakistan protests Indian naval incident

The Foreign Office also addressed a separate dispute with India, saying Pakistan had summoned the Indian High Commission’s chargé d’affaires over what Islamabad described as a “highly provocative and unacceptable” incident involving an Indian Navy vessel in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone on Sept. 15.

According to Pakistan, the incident occurred while the Pakistan Navy was conducting Exercise SEASPARK-26, when the Indian vessel allegedly conducted manoeuvres in close proximity to a Pakistani naval ship, resulting in contact between the vessels.

Islamabad said it considered the incident a violation of international law and the 1991 bilateral agreement governing advance notice of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements.

Pakistan said it had urged India to avoid provocative actions and adhere to international law and bilateral commitments designed to prevent incidents at sea. A Pakistani demarche was also expected to be delivered in New Delhi.

- SCO members discuss terrorism and regional security

Pakistan also hosted the 46th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO RATS) in Islamabad on Sept. 14.

The meeting reviewed regional security developments and cooperation among member states against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Participants agreed to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms and undertake joint activities in 2027. Pakistan’s chairmanship of the SCO RATS Council has now passed to Russia, with the next meeting scheduled to take place at the SCO RATS Executive Committee in Tashkent.

- Shehbaz Sharif to address UN General Assembly

The Foreign Office said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York next week.

According to the ministry, the prime minister is expected to address regional and global developments and emphasize dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful dispute resolution.

His agenda will include sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reform and issues facing the Global South. Pakistan also plans to raise the situations in Palestine and Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

The prime minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and the UN secretary-general during the visit.

- Pakistan-China boundary commission operationalized

The briefing also highlighted the operationalization of the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission on Sept. 16.

The commission’s inaugural meeting was held in Islamabad and is designed to enhance cooperation on border management, joint surveys, trade facilitation and people-to-people connectivity.

The development adds another institutional mechanism to Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation.

- Pakistan establishes diplomatic ties with Armenia

The Foreign Office said Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first ambassador to Armenia, presented his credentials to the Armenian president during the week.

Islamabad described the appointment as an important step toward expanding bilateral relations and cooperation between Pakistan and Armenia.

- IAEA chief discusses regional tensions with Dar

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also held a telephone conversation with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi.

The two discussed the evolving regional situation and the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which Pakistan said remained an effective mechanism for reducing tensions.

Grossi offered technical support if required, while Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Charter, international law and relevant treaties.

- Foreign secretary Amna Baloch retires

The Foreign Office also announced the retirement of Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch, who completed more than three decades of diplomatic service.

The ministry praised her professionalism, leadership and contributions to Pakistan’s foreign policy and diplomatic service as she concluded her career.