Prime Minister Shhbaz Sharif has reiterated his condemnation of “deplorable” attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia, noting that the interception of a Yemeni drone over the holy city of Makkah “outraged Muslims across the globe”.

In his address to the UN General Assembly, he expressed Pakistan’s complete solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia.

“Our enduring commitment to peace is also reflected by the historic Makkah Joint Defence Agreement among the brotherly countries Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz says.

“This alliance is not directed against any country. It is a collective commitment for defence, stability and peace in the region and nothing more.”