ISLAMABAD: The continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia are heightening regional instability, threatening critical economic infrastructure, and disrupting international supply chains, said Sardar Masood Khan, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, China, and the United Nations, and former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in a television interview, Khan said the Houthi strikes appeared intended to make Saudi Arabia insecure and push the region towards another theatre of war. He welcomed Pakistan’s condemnation of these attacks, stressing that their consequences extend far beyond Saudi Arabia, affecting international markets, maritime trade, and energy supplies, particularly around Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea.
He emphasized that Pakistan, as a founding member of the Makkah Alliance alongside Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, has important responsibilities towards the defense of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. While Pakistan remains committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s security, it is equally pursuing diplomacy to prevent further escalation. He reiterated that a lasting solution to the conflict in Yemen must be political, Yemeni-led, and inclusive of all relevant stakeholders, ensuring ownership of the settlement by the Yemeni people.
Khan observed that the nature of the Houthi campaign had evolved beyond conventional military confrontation. By targeting economic installations, energy facilities, and maritime routes, the Houthis were pursuing asymmetric warfare designed to undermine Saudi Arabia’s economic capabilities and international reputation. He noted that attacks affecting facilities such as Aramco installations and Yanbu, alongside critical shipping routes, threaten Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation under Vision 2030.
He cautioned that the disruption of the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, two critical global maritime and energy corridors, could have serious consequences for the Gulf countries, the broader Middle East, and the world economy. Existing volatility in international energy markets and supply deficits could be further aggravated by sustained attacks.
Referring to the Makkah Alliance, Khan said the recent regional conflicts had demonstrated that even sophisticated and expensive defense systems cannot guarantee complete protection against asymmetric threats. He noted Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia through defense cooperation, including the deployment of JF-17 aircraft, drones, and air defense systems. However, he stressed that military preparedness must complement diplomatic efforts rather than replace them.
On the wider regional conflict, Khan expressed the view that the prospects for renewed diplomacy between Washington and Tehran were stronger than the likelihood of another military confrontation. He referred to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and ongoing Qatar-mediated diplomatic efforts as important foundations for negotiations.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s engagement with Iran, urging Tehran to use its influence over the Houthis to stop attacks against Saudi Arabia. Khan concluded that diplomacy remains the most viable path to ending the conflict, protecting regional stability, and preventing further divisions within the Muslim world.