UNITED NATIONS: Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Pakistan has reaffirmed deep-rooted fraternal ties with the Gulf countries and urged diplomatic efforts to secure lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Gulf, Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, called for an immediate end to military provocations and unlawful attacks in the Gulf region, urging respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and protection of civilians and commercial shipping.
The envoy expressed serious concern over the escalating tensions and their implications for the security of the brotherly Gulf countries and the wider region.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s deep-rooted fraternal ties with the Gulf countries, Ambassador Shah underscored that their security and prosperity were of immense importance to Pakistan. He unequivocally condemned attacks against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity with their governments and peoples.
He strongly condemned Houthi militia attacks and threats against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including its civilian infrastructure and vessels engaged in lawful trade, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. He stressed that attacks against civilian infrastructure, including airports and energy installations, were unacceptable.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, Ambassador Shah warned that threats to maritime navigation and attacks on merchant vessels endangered seafarers, disrupted international commerce and heightened energy and food insecurity, particularly for vulnerable economies.
He called for respect for navigational rights and freedoms, protection of commercial shipping and crews, restoration of normal passage, and safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian supplies.
Emphasising that lasting peace required addressing the root causes of regional conflicts and instability, he called for a regional framework based on common security, peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity.
The Pakistan UN envoy stressed that dialogue and diplomacy must guide the way forward, urging all parties to end attacks, keep communication channels open and support regional initiatives and the secretary-general’s good offices.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with brotherly and friendly countries and international partners to promote de-escalation, maritime security and lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have significantly strengthened their defence cooperation in recent years, signing a bilateral defence agreement in September 2025.
In August 2026, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye also signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), establishing a trilateral security arrangement.
The agreement stipulates that an attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three, underscoring their commitment to collective defence and regional security.
