Pakistan PM calls Houthi threats to Saudi holy sites a ‘red line’

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Published: 2026-09-25T21:35:33.398Z • Permanent link

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has issued a stern warning to Houthi rebels, calling their threats to Saudi holy sites a "red line" that cannot be tolerated. This statement comes amidst heightened tensions between Pakistan and Iran, with Islamabad seeking to balance its diplomatic relations with Tehran while maintaining its opposition to the Houthi rebels. Sharif's remarks were made during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been pushing for increased cooperation between the two countries to counter Iranian influence in the region.

Pakistan's stance on the Houthi issue has been shaped by its close ties with Saudi Arabia, which has been a key player in the conflict in Yemen. Islamabad has been providing military training to Saudi-backed forces, and Sharif's government has been under pressure from Riyadh to take a stronger stance against the Houthi rebels. The Pakistani military has been conducting joint exercises with Saudi forces, and Islamabad has also been providing humanitarian aid to Yemen.

The Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran, have been firing missiles at Saudi holy sites, including the Abqaiq oil processing facility, which is a critical infrastructure for Saudi Arabia's oil production. The attacks have raised concerns about the stability of the region and the potential for further escalation. Sharif's warning to the Houthi rebels is seen as an attempt to deter them from further attacks and to reassure Saudi Arabia that Pakistan will take action against any threats to its holy sites.

Pakistan's stance on the Houthi issue has significant implications for the global energy market. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest oil exporter, and any disruption to its oil production could have far-reaching consequences for global energy prices. The Houthi attacks on Abqaiq have already led to increased tensions in the region, and Islamabad's warning to the rebels is seen as a key factor in reassuring Saudi Arabia about Pakistan's commitment to countering Iranian influence.

The Houthi rebels are also a key player in the regional energy market, with their control of Yemen's oil and gas resources giving them significant leverage over the global energy supply. Islamabad's decision to provide military training to Saudi-backed forces and to conduct joint exercises with Riyadh is seen as an attempt to counter the Houthi rebels' influence in the region. This could have significant implications for the global energy market, particularly in the short term.

Pakistan's stance on the Houthi issue is part of a broader pattern of regional tensions in the Middle East. The conflict in Yemen, which has been ongoing since 2015, has led to increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with Islamabad seeking to balance its diplomatic relations with Tehran while maintaining its opposition to the Houthi rebels. The situation in Yemen is complex, with multiple factions vying for control of the country's oil and gas resources.