Pakistan considers response to Houthi attacks on Saudi ships

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have deepened their defence cooperation in recent years, conducting joint naval exercises, sharing intelligence and expanding arms sales. The partnership, formalised through a series of agreements, reflects Riyadh’s aim to bolster regional security while offering Islamabad access to advanced military equipment and training. Both governments have highlighted the collaboration as a cornerstone of their broader strategic alignment against common threats in the Gulf and South‑Asia theatres.

Security analysts caution, however, that Islamabad’s capacity to confront the Iran‑backed Houthi movement in the Red Sea is limited. Pakistan must balance its growing ties with Saudi Arabia against longstanding diplomatic and economic relations with Tehran, as well as domestic considerations that constrain large‑scale overseas deployments. Experts note that while Pakistan can contribute logistical support and limited naval presence, any extensive engagement against the Houthis would risk escalating tensions with Iran and overextending its own military resources. Consequently, Pakistan is likely to maintain a measured stance, supporting Saudi objectives within the bounds of its regional priorities and strategic constraints.