Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to “safeguarding” Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security in his message to the Gulf state on its National Day.

The National Day, observed every year on September 23, marks the unification of the kingdom at the hands of King Abdulaziz in 1932.

In a post on X, PM Shehbaz congratulated the country on its “remarkable journey of progress and transformation” and reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the recent Houthi attacks on the country, in particular an attempted drone attack on Makkah.

He held that threats to the security of the Haramain Sharifain “deeply wounds the sentiments of Muslims across the world”.

“Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder, with the kingdom in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites,” PM Shehbaz stressed.

He noted that under the “dynamic” leadership of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia continues to make impressive strides towards greater prosperity, modernisation and innovation.

The premier added that the brotherhood between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was “growing into an even stronger strategic partnership, underpinned by our shared commitment to peace, security and the unity of the Muslim Ummah”.

“Together, we have proudly signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” he added.

PM Shehbaz said, “I pray that Pakistan-Saudi Arabia brotherhood continues to grow from strength to strength.”

Under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed in Sept 2025, the two countries pledged that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both.

Meanwhile, the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement — signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7 — empowers member states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all.

President Asif Ali Zardari also extended heartfelt felicitations to the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion.

In a post on X by the presidency, President Zardari hailed two pacts between the two countries, saying they had “further strengthened the strategic dimension of the longstanding Pakistan-Saudi partnership”.

The post mentioned two letters written by the president to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Salman and quoted the president as saying, “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share deep-rooted ties of faith, shared history, friendship, mutual trust and solidarity.”

In his message, the president mentioned close relations between the two countries that were marked by strong cooperation and mutual support at bilateral, regional and international fora.

President Zardari termed the SMDA and the Makkah pact as “important milestones in the longstanding partnership, contributing to peace, stability and security in the region”.

He expressed confidence that the fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would “continue to deepen and expand across diverse areas of mutual interest for the mutual benefit” of the countries and their people.

The messages come amid fresh fighting between the Houthis and the Yemeni government, which has dragged in Riyadh, with the Houthis declaring a maritime blockade on the kingdom and targeting its ships in the Red Sea.

On Sept 18, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry echoed similar remarks, saying Pakistan will go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia, adding that Islamabad’s commitment to the kingdom’s security is “unconditional”.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also reaffirmed that Pakistan would “practically and diplomatically” stand by Saudi Arabia against Yemen’s Houthi rebels if the situation escalated.