RAWALPINDI: The military's spokesman, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is purely defensive, but that an attack on any member would be met with a collective response, Geo News and The Express Tribune reported.
Key points
- The DG ISPR made the remarks in an interview with Independent Arabia
- He called Saudi sovereignty and the security of the two holy mosques 'non-negotiable'
- He said he knew of no formal request from Yemen's government, and any request would be for the government to decide
A message of collective deterrence
In the interview on Sunday, the DG ISPR said collective deterrence sends a clear message to forces of instability that waging war, directly or indirectly, against any of the three countries would bring a joint response. He said that if negotiations failed and the region slid into military conflict, the alliance would definitely come into play.
The pact was signed on August 7 at the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence. Under it, an armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all three.
Saudi Arabia and the holy sites
Lt Gen Chaudhry said Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the protection of the Haramain were paramount for Pakistan. According to The Express Tribune, he said whatever support was needed for that was being provided and would continue to be provided.
The Yemen question
Asked whether Yemen's internationally recognised government had sought help, he said no formal request was in his knowledge, adding that evaluating and responding to any request would be a matter for the government of Pakistan.
Background
Geo News said the remarks come as fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis has escalated in recent weeks, with the Houthis attacking Riyadh's airport, Makkah and Madina. The DG ISPR said widening the conflict was in no one's interest, disputes should be settled through talks, and the alliance was not directed at any particular country.
More on Geo News and The Express Tribune.