Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday restated strong backing for mediation led by Qatar and Pakistan, underscoring how Pakistan Saudi relations remain central to Riyadh’s push for regional calm.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the session in Riyadh. The cabinet reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to de-escalation and said Saudi Arabia supports initiatives that ease tensions, with particular emphasis on mediation by Qatar and Pakistan.
Cabinet focus on Makkah Agreement diplomacy
Ministers reviewed talks held on Monday between states party to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement—Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan—and senior Iranian officials. The cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to regional and international security and stability, and the pivotal role of the Makkah Agreement partners in that effort.
That track of diplomacy was already under way when Makkah pact partners held dialogue amid Gulf tension. Tuesday’s cabinet message adds a clear political endorsement from Riyadh for continued mediation involving Pakistan, reinforcing the diplomatic side of Pakistan Saudi relations at a tense moment in the wider Middle East.
Regional security backdrop
The same meeting also praised the capabilities of Saudi air defence systems and their success in intercepting repeated attacks that Riyadh attributes to Iran-backed Houthis targeting Makkah, Madinah and other parts of the kingdom.
Separately on Tuesday, the Houthis said they had fired missiles at sites including the defence ministry in Riyadh and the Ras Tanura refinery. Saudi authorities said they shot down missiles over Riyadh and the Eastern Province; in the capital area, they reported that shrapnel hit a building, a construction project and a car. The cabinet’s stress on de-escalation therefore comes against active missile threats, not a quiet diplomatic calendar.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Monday: Officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, as parties to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, held talks with senior Iranian officials.
- Tuesday: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired a Saudi cabinet session in Riyadh that reaffirmed support for mediation by Qatar and Pakistan.
- Tuesday: The cabinet praised Saudi air defences for intercepting Houthi attacks; Saudi authorities reported intercepting missiles over Riyadh and the Eastern Province the same day.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saudi Arabia ki cabinet ne Pakistan aur Qatar ki aman ki koshishon ki khuli himayat ki hai. Riyadh ne kaha ke woh tension kam karne wali mediation ko support karta hai. Is se Pakistan Saudi taluqat mazboot aur active dikhte hain. Aam Pakistani ke liye yeh is liye zaroori hai ke Gulf mein aman hamare logon aur ilaqai rawadari dono ke liye faida rakhti hai.
