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World

Shehbaz Sharif tells UN: threats to Makkah are a 'red line' for Pakistan

Pakistan's PM told the 81st UN General Assembly that any threat to Makkah or the Haramain Sharifain was a 'red line that must never be crossed', as he condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 1 min read

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Friday that any threat to the safety and sanctity of Makkah was a “red line that must never be crossed”, condemning recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia “in the strongest possible terms”. (Arab News)

“The attempted drone attack on the holy city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah has outraged Muslims across the globe,” Sharif said. “No Muslim can even dare to think of committing such a heinous (act).” (WE News)

Saudi Arabia said last week its air defences had intercepted a Houthi drone aimed at Makkah, the first attempt on the holy city since 2017. The Houthis strongly deny targeting Makkah; military spokesman Yahya Saree said their targets were Saudi oil facilities and bases “far removed from the holy places”. (The News)

Sharif also defended the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye: “This alliance is not directed against any country; it is a collective commitment for defence, stability and peace in the region, and nothing more.” (Dunya News)

And he called for the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab to remain open, describing them as “arteries of the global economy” that “must carry the promise of prosperity, not the perils of war”. (Geo News)

More on this topic: all World stories

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