ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, warning that continued assaults pose a threat to regional peace and stability and could have serious implications for the global economy and energy security.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan, addressing a weekly briefing on Thursday, said Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder unwaveringly with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the security and sanctity of Haramain Sharifain.
“We strongly condemn attacks on holy sites,” Khan said, praising the swift and heroic actions of the Saudi armed forces in foiling the attack.
The Foreign Office spokesperson further said that Islamabad is closely and seriously monitoring the situation in the Middle East, while condemning a heinous Houthi attack that had hurt the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.
Houthi militia must stop its activities
The Houthis must also stop their activities, and in this regard, our discussions basically revolve around bringing peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy, and not through coercive measures.
He expressed concerns over the situation in Bab al-Mandab — one of the busiest global maritime chokepoints.
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“The situation in Bab al-Mandab is a matter of serious concern, said the Foreign Office spokesperson.
Pakistan committed to Makkah Defence Alliance
Sajjad Haider Khan the spokesperson said Pakistan is committed in intent and spirit to implement the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement as well as the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance.
Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia signed the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance last month. The accords were aimed at strengthening regional peace and stability, according to Khan.
“So that is, I mean objective number one. Our partnership with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in the area of security and defence is well recognised,” he said, adding the Makkah accord was purely defensive in nature.
“It is neither directed against any country nor constitutes formally a new bloc.”
PM Shehbaz to head to US next week for UNGA
The spokesperson also confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be leading the country’s delegation at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York next week.
FO said that in his address at UNGA, PM Shehbaz will “highlight Pakistan’s perspective on regional and global developments, reaffirming the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and restraint and peaceful resolution of issues”.
He said the premier is also expected to outline Islamabad’s priorities on sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reforms and issues concerning the Global South.
He will also draw attention to the situation in India-occupied Kashmir and Palestine, the FO spokesperson said.
He added that on the sidelines, PM Shehbaz is scheduled to participate in high-level events and hold bilateral engagements with world leaders and the UN Secretary-General, where he will highlight “Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, the UN Charter, regional peace and international cooperation”.
🔊 Transcript of the Weekly Press Briefing by the Spokesperson https://t.co/sqUy18Y5en
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 17, 2026
Sikh pilgrims
On reports that around 90 Pakistani Sikh pilgrims were prevented from travelling to India, Khan rejected the reports that they had not been allowed to board their flight.
“We have seen the malicious media campaign originating from India regarding the Sikh pilgrims who were trying to go from Pakistan,” he said.
He said the group of around 90 to 100 Pakistani Sikhs intended to travel to India to visit different shrines, but the visas issued to them by the Indian High Commission were not covered under the 1974 bilateral protocol governing pilgrim visits between the two countries.
“We were not aware that the Indian High Commission had issued these visas and these visas were not covered under the 1974 bilateral protocol,” Khan said.
He said the visas had been issued independently and without coordination.
Khan said Islamabad remained committed to welcoming Sikh pilgrims, including those travelling from India. “We remain committed to extending a warm welcome to Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan, including from India,” he said.
Referring to the number of visas issued by Pakistan to Indian Sikh pilgrims, he said more than 2,100 visas were issued in November last year, while more than 2,800 visas were issued for Baisakhi in April this year.
“Seven hundred plus visas were issued for Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom day and 438 visas were issued for the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June,” he said.
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Khan said Pakistan was also ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims for the upcoming Baisakhi festival through the Kartarpur Corridor.
“We are ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims through Kartarpur Corridor as and when India allows them, because currently Kartarpur Corridor has been closed by India and not by Pakistan,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir
He said India’s claims regarding Jammu and Kashmir are equally untenable as it remains an internationally recognised disputed territory whose final disposition is to be determined in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, which is to be done under the auspices of the UN through a plebiscite. He said it is a mockery of international law that India speaks of legality in an attempt to challenge the validity of the Border Joint Commission.
Sajjad Haider Khan said India must carry out its own introspection, especially its illegal and unilateral decisions of 5th August, 2019. He said India must rescind these illegal decisions that were in utter violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. He said instead of advancing fictitious territorial claims, India should end its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and faithfully implement the UN Security Council resolutions.
India to act responsibly
He said Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over “highly provocative and unacceptable” action by an Indian naval vessel in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on September 15, 2026.
Khan said the Pakistan Navy was conducting the annual exercise SEASPARK-26 when the Indian vessel carried out aggressive manoeuvres in dangerously close proximity to a Pakistani naval ship, resulting in contact between the two vessels.
“The incident constituted a serious violation of international law, and the bilateral agreement on advance notice and military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements signed in 1991, and posed a risk to regional peace and stability,” Khan said.
Pakistan also urged India to strictly adhere to international law and bilateral agreements, particularly those aimed at preventing incidents at sea, the spokesperson said.
