Pakistan’s premier offers ‘complete solidarity’ to Saudi Crown Prince after Yemen port strike

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Expresses “Complete Solidarity” with Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday, expressing “complete solidarity” with the Kingdom following Saudi Arabia’s bombing of Yemen’s port city of Mukalla, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

During the call, Sharif emphasized the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, which the statement described as having “attained new heights in recent months.”

Crown Prince Mohammed reportedly thanked Sharif for the call and expressed Saudi Arabia’s interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in areas of mutual interest. The statement also noted that the crown prince intends to pay an official visit to Pakistan next year.

The conversation came just a day after Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla following the arrival of a weapons shipment allegedly from the United Arab Emirates. The shipment was believed to be intended for separatist forces. The military action has heightened tensions in the region, particularly concerning the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council’s advances in Yemen.

This confrontation threatens to open another front in Yemen’s devastating decade-long conflict, raising concerns that forces previously united against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels might now turn on each other in a country already suffering from what the UN describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The situation has placed Pakistan in a delicate diplomatic position as it maintains strong relationships with both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement in September that defines an attack on either country as an attack on both, significantly elevating their security partnership.

Notably, Sharif’s call to the Saudi crown prince followed his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Rahim Yar Khan, a city in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. This meeting, which took place after the UAE ruler’s weekend official visit to Islamabad, was reportedly aimed at defusing tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a separate statement on Wednesday expressing concern over renewed violence in Yemen. The ministry warned that unilateral actions by any Yemeni party could further escalate the conflict and destabilize the region. The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security, Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, while welcoming regional efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have both been crucial economic partners for Pakistan in recent years. Saudi Arabia is a leading supplier of oil to Pakistan and has provided billions of dollars in loans to help the country avoid defaulting on foreign debts and overcome its economic crisis. Similarly, the UAE has supported Pakistan with substantial loans and, in 2024, committed to investing up to $10 billion in the country.

The evolving situation highlights the complex web of alliances and interests in the Middle East and South Asia. For Pakistan, balancing relationships with these Gulf powers while advocating for regional stability presents a significant diplomatic challenge, particularly as the country works to stabilize its own economic situation.

Regional analysts note that Pakistan’s position underscores the broader geopolitical realignments taking place across the Middle East and South Asia, with countries increasingly navigating complex relationships between traditional allies while addressing domestic priorities and regional security concerns.