Pakistan Condemns Attacks Targeting Holy City of Makkah

Islamabad (ANTARA) - Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the drone attack attempt near the Muslim holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and called for dialogue between the warring parties.

“I strongly condemn the heinous and barbaric drone attack attempt against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah,” Sharif stated in a post on X on Wednesday.

Sharif reiterated his call for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to withdraw from the brink of further escalation.

“Our region has suffered too much due to conflict. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path towards peace,” he added.

He praised the Saudi armed forces for their extraordinary precision, bravery, and professionalism, as well as their swift and heroic actions.

“Pakistan stands firm, side by side with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a friendly nation, in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and in maintaining the security and sanctity of the Two Holy Cities (Makkah and Madinah)—an obligation held firmly by every Pakistani citizen,” he added.

The Saudi-led coalition reported early Wednesday that Saudi air defences successfully intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthi group from Yemen near Makkah. Meanwhile, the Houthi group has denied responsibility for the launch.

Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki stated that the drone was intercepted at approximately 18:50 local time on Tuesday before entering restricted airspace, with its debris falling south of the city.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a joint defence agreement last year, which was followed by the Makkah trilateral defence pact with Turkey in August.