Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday strongly condemned the ‘dastardly and heinous’ attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah saying it had left the people of Pakistan deeply distressed and disturbed.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The people of Pakistan are saddened and perturbed by this outrageous act. There can be no words strong enough to capture the depth of anguish and sorrow felt by us at this reprehensible and unforgivable act,” the prime minister wrote on his X timeline.
He also commended the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for displaying exceptional alertness, bravery and professionalism, particularly for their rapid and courageous response to the attempted attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz again urged all sides to demonstrate the utmost restraint and avoid taking steps that could push the region towards greater escalation, noting that the area had already endured considerable suffering because of prolonged conflict. He maintained that dialogue and diplomatic engagement offered the only lasting route to peace.
“Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain – a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart,” the prime minister remarked.
I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The people of Pakistan are saddened and perturbed by this outrageous act. There can be no words strong enough to capture the depth of anguish and sorrow felt by us at this reprehensible and unforgivable act. We salute the extraordinary vigilance, courage, and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, for their swift and heroic action. I once again call upon all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to step back from the brink of further escalation. Our region has already suffered far too much from conflict. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path towards peace. Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defence of its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain - a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 16, 2026
Saudi authorities issued security warnings in several areas on Tuesday, including Makkah and other cities, following a series of attacks over the previous week by Iran-aligned fighters, developments that have increasingly pulled the kingdom into the wider US-Iran conflict.
Meanwhile, a Houthi military source rejected claims that the group represented a threat to Makkah or any other Islamic holy site. The statement was published by the Houthi-operated SABA news agency on Tuesday.
The Houthis maintain control over sections of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline facing the Bab el-Mandeb, a key international maritime passage. Their presence has created concerns for Saudi oil shipments that have been redirected from the Strait of Hormuz.
Over the past week, the group has claimed several significant operations against Saudi targets, including an attack on an air base on Monday. The Houthis said the strike was carried out in response to airstrikes against Yemen.
On July 23, the Houthis claimed responsibility for hitting two Saudi oil tankers, saying the action formed part of what they described as a naval blockade of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia has also halted the East-West oil pipeline after the strategically important route was targeted from the air amid the expanding Middle East conflict.
The latest Houthi attack came at a time when Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye formalised their longstanding strategic relationship by signing the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement”. The three-way security pact has been presented by its supporters as a defensive framework intended to reinforce collective deterrence, expand military collaboration and contribute to stability across the region.
The agreement was signed at the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence and has led to comparisons with alliances including NATO. Security analysts, however, have characterised the arrangement as an effort to put decades of existing strategic cooperation into a formal framework, rather than the creation of a new military bloc or offensive alliance.