Pakistan's Defence Pact Meeting Set Amid Houthi Threats

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has announced that an emergency meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance’s Strategic Political Defence Committee (SPDC) will be convened next week in Riyadh. This meeting is prompted by a significant rise in Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, driving national and regional concerns. Dar made these remarks during a press briefing detailing the engagements of the Pakistan delegation at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last month.

Key Developments

During his briefing, Dar stated, "We made a plan because all three of us countries were present [in New York]," referring to his discussions with Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The SPDC was established as part of the trilateral Makkah Accord, designed to enhance military cooperation and response strategies among the nations involved. Currently, the SPDC comprises defense and foreign ministers, along with chiefs of army staff from each country.

Recent Meetings

Dar highlighted that a special meeting of military leaders occurred in Riyadh on September 25, followed by a prior discussion among foreign ministers in New York. The urgency of the upcoming SPDC meeting reflects a deterioration in the ground situation, specifically concerning attacks from Houthi forces. Dar noted:

- "Very soon, a meeting of the whole SPDC … has been agreed to in principle, to take place in Riyadh."

- He remarked that both military and political dimensions would be explored in this context, particularly focusing on Saudi Arabia.

Addressing Houthi Aggression

Responding to inquiries regarding recent Houthi actions, including an airstrike on a power plant in Madina, Dar stated that Pakistan had condemned such actions saying they were "not acceptable." He emphasized the need to engage diplomatically, posting that dialogue with Iran was essential. Dar remarked that:

- Iran denied any association with the Houthis or Iraqi militias, suggesting a political rather than a military solution should be pursued.

- Such suggestions were made during discussions between the foreign ministers but were presented as ideas for consideration among the trilateral states.

Future of the Defence Pact

During the briefing, Dar also hinted at the potential expansion of the Makkah Defence Pact, revealing that at least six other countries have expressed interest in joining. However, he clarified that this would only be possible once the agreement is fully operational, a process that could take over a year. He stressed that while the door for new members remains open, they must agree with the principles laid out in the original accord.

The Makkah Defence Pact aims to bolster collective deterrence and ensure that any attack on one member is considered an assault on all. The first SPDC meeting took place in Istanbul, and this next imminent gathering in Riyadh will address pressing matters arising from the ongoing conflict dynamics with the Houthis and the wider implications for regional security.

In other related developments, Dar mentioned that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is expected to visit Pakistan soon, likely before the end of his term on December 31. He highlighted the significance of this visit, given Guterres’ supportive role towards Pakistan in times of need, with further discussions about major global developments anticipated during his stay.