Pakistan on Thursday sought to ease speculation about the possible activation of the newly formed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. The Foreign Office said there was currently no discussion about military action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The clarification came as fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis continued to raise concerns about a wider regional conflict. Reports had suggested that Saudi Arabia could seek Pakistan’s assistance following Houthi attacks on the Kingdom.

Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia were still working to strengthen the alliance. The three countries must first establish the mechanisms needed to determine how the agreement will operate.

“The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is an umbrella agreement,” Khan said at his first weekly media briefing. He added that the countries would establish further mechanisms to move forward.

He described the pact as “purely for defensive purposes”. He said its main goal was to support regional peace and stability.

Pakistan Rules Out Immediate Military Action

The clarification followed remarks by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. He had said the agreement could be activated if the Houthi conflict spread and posed a direct threat to Saudi Arabia.

Those remarks raised questions about whether Pakistan could become involved in military operations in Yemen.

Khan, however, said no such discussion was taking place at present.

Asked whether Pakistan was considering military action against Houthi positions in Yemen, he described the issue as hypothetical.

“Pakistan will act upon this agreement in terms of its stipulations. But, as of now, there is no discussion of this kind,” he said.

Pakistan has separately condemned Houthi attacks on civilian and economic targets in Saudi Arabia. These included attacks affecting Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran.

Islamabad has also reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.

Makkah Pact Still Needs Operational Mechanisms

Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement last month. The agreement represents a major step in efforts by the three countries to strengthen defence and strategic cooperation.

The pact provides a framework for collective defence. However, its detailed mechanisms and command structures still require further development.

Khan said the three countries remained in contact and were holding consultations at different levels.

He also ruled out any immediate expansion of the alliance.

“Expansion of the Makkah Agreement is not on the cards because, first, they have to kind of solidify their own organization,” he said.

The statement comes amid speculation that countries such as Egypt and Algeria could eventually join the grouping. There have also been suggestions that Iran could become part of the arrangement.

Khan said the alliance could eventually remain open to countries with similar views, threat perceptions and security needs. However, he stressed that expansion was not currently under discussion.

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Pakistan Maintains Defence Cooperation With Saudi Arabia

The Foreign Office also highlighted Pakistan’s existing bilateral defence relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Khan said Pakistani personnel already serve in Saudi Arabia under bilateral defence cooperation arrangements. Their roles include training and logistical support.

He said the Makkah agreement would need institutional mechanisms before it could become fully operational.

The cautious approach reflects Pakistan’s effort to maintain its close relationship with Saudi Arabia while avoiding direct involvement in another regional conflict.

Islamabad has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional disputes. At the same time, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strengthened their strategic relationship in recent years.

Khan said Pakistan also wanted peace and stability in Yemen. Islamabad would continue to support international efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

Pakistan Calls Terrorism Main Obstacle With Afghanistan

The Foreign Office spokesperson also addressed Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan.

Khan stressed that Afghanistan was not considered an enemy state by Pakistan.

“Afghanistan is our neighbour,” he said, pointing to the two countries’ long historical and civilisational ties.

He said terrorism remained the main obstacle to normal relations.

“The only difficulty is, the current regime is not understanding the sensitivities of Pakistan, which relate to terrorism,” Khan said.

Pakistan wants to see a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, he added. Islamabad remains prepared to rebuild friendly relations if militant attacks from Afghan territory decline.

Khan also defended Pakistan’s long-standing support for Afghanistan. He pointed to scholarships for Afghan students and Pakistani assistance in building roads, bridges and hospitals in the neighbouring country.