Pact with Saudi Arabia threatens to draw Pakistan into Middle East conflict

<p>Activation of mutual defence agreement by Riyadh as fighting with Houthis escalates would have wide-reaching repercussions for Islamabad</p><p>As he stood in Riyadh last September, the world looked like a very different place for Pakistan’s most powerful man, Gen Asim Munir.</p><p>The country’s army chief was there to witness<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/07/houthi-strikes-yemen-saudi-arabia-attacks-iran-war-middle-east-crisis"> the signing of a historic defence pact</a> with Saudi Arabia, which he had personally orchestrated with the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/19/pakistan-saudi-arabia-mecca-pact-joint-defence-agreement-houthis-yemen-conflict">Continue reading...</a>