Islamabad: Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, emphasized the country’s ongoing commitment to the defense of Saudi Arabia and the protection of Harmain Sharifain, according to its established obligations and close ties with the Kingdom. In an interview with Reuters, Chaudhry clarified Pakistan’s non-involvement in the Yemen conflict while highlighting its interest in fostering peace both internally and regionally.

According to Radio Pakistan, Lieutenant General Chaudhry expressed cautious optimism regarding potential mediation between Iran and the United States, underscoring Pakistan’s role as a mediator rather than a participant in the conflict. He credited Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, for his pivotal role in promoting diplomatic understanding and discouraging destructive paths.

Chaudhry noted that the decision to deploy additional Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia would depend on evolving circumstances and the political decisions of both nations. He also mentioned the Makkah Defence Alliance as an inclusive initiative, open to countries that share a commitment to collective deterrence and regional peace. The inclusion of new countries in this alliance remains a decision for the political leadership of the involved nations.

Highlighting Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, Chaudhry pointed to two decades of sustained operations, focusing on intelligence-based strategies. These operations, he indicated, would see increased intensity, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.