Pakistan denies involvement of PAF aircraft in operations against Houthis in Yemen
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting has rejected a foreign media report claiming that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft were being
deployed against Yemen’s Houthi movement amid escalating regional tensions
involving Saudi Arabia.
The ministry described the report as false and fabricated, urging
international media organisations to refrain from speculative coverage
concerning the deployment of Pakistani military assets under the Makkah Joint
Defence Agreement.
It added that any information regarding the use of Pakistan’s military
assets, if required, would be communicated by the relevant authorities.
The clarification comes amid heightened security concerns following renewed
Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi territory and infrastructure.
Pakistan confirms troop presence in Saudi Arabia
The ministry’s statement followed remarks by Inter-Services Public Relations
(ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who confirmed
that Pakistani troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia in multiple capacities.
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may provide Saudi Arabia JF-17 fighter jets in lieu of loan repayment
He said Pakistani military personnel had maintained a presence in the
kingdom for decades as part of longstanding defence cooperation between the two
countries.
However, Pakistani authorities have maintained that specific operational
details concerning the deployment and potential employment of military assets
remain confidential.
The information ministry has previously rejected reports claiming to provide
details about the size and operational role of Pakistani forces stationed in
Saudi Arabia.
Makkah Defence Agreement gains operational momentum
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement
on August 7, establishing a trilateral framework for collective deterrence,
military cooperation and regional security.
The three countries moved towards operationalising the agreement earlier
this week following an emergency meeting of the alliance’s Strategic-Political
and Defence Committee in Riyadh.
According to a joint statement, the decision included the immediate
deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia in
response to security threats.
Under the defence framework, an armed attack against any one of the three
participating countries is treated as an attack against all three, providing a
basis for coordinated defence and deterrence measures.
Pakistan reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia
Amid renewed regional tensions, Pakistan has condemned Houthi attacks and
reiterated its support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity
and security.
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and Saudi Arabia agree to further strengthen cooperation between their air
forces
However, Islamabad’s latest statement makes clear that reports of PAF
aircraft being deployed for operations against the Houthis should not be
treated as established fact.
The government has stressed that authoritative information regarding the
deployment or operational use of Pakistani military assets will be issued by
the relevant authorities, underscoring the need to distinguish confirmed
defence cooperation from unverified claims about military operations.