Khawaja Asif 'No Ambiguity Over Mecca Agreement After Houthi Drone Intercept'

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said there was "absolutely no ambiguity" over the application of the Mecca Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye following Saudi Arabia's interception of a Houthi drone near the holy city of Mecca. 

Speaking to Media on Wednesday, Asif said Pakistan was bound by the agreement and would fulfil its obligations, while maintaining that details of any defence response would remain confidential.

"Mecca



Agreement applies to us, and we will fulfil our duty," Asif was quoted as saying by Media. He said Pakistan's responsibility towards the Muslim holy sites existed independently of the trilateral agreement. 

"If Mecca is attacked, there is no need for an agreement to protect it," Asif added. His comments came after Saudi authorities said their air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening, before it entered the prohibited airspace around the holy city.