Sana Khalid 
The tension over the activities of the Houthi forces based in Yemen is mounting, and Pakistan is said to be readying to beef up its military presence in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Saudi Arabia troops, Up to 25,000 Pakistani troops could be sent to the Kingdom along with more defence equipment, citing an unnamed senior security source. The report comes amid renewed security pressure on Saudi Arabia connected to Houthi attacks and broader instability around the Red Sea.
More than 15,000 Pakistani troops are already reported to be stationed in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the long-standing defence relationship between the two countries. The extra support reported could include air defence systems, rockets and drones, though the details and scale of any new deployment have not been officially confirmed by Pakistan.
Focus On Pakistan-Saudi Ties With Makkah Defence Pact
The possible deployment is being discussed in the backdrop of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in August 2026. The pact requires that an armed attack against any of the three countries is considered an attack against all of them, and provides a framework for broader defence cooperation and collective deterrence.
Pakistan has said the Makkah Accord is defensive in nature and is linked to regional peace, security and stability. Islamabad has also stressed that the arrangement is meant to strengthen collective defence and not an instrument of confrontation against another country.
Houthi Attacks Put Saudi Arabia Under Security Pressure – Pakistan Saudi Arabia troops
The reported Pakistani reinforcements come as Saudi Arabia faces increasing military pressure from the Houthis. Riyadh was preparing a military offensive against Houthi forces in Yemen to retake control of the Bab el-Mandeb, a strategically important passageway for global shipping in the Red Sea, Reuters reported on Oct. 2. Pakistan and Turkey have supplied military equipment, while other allies have offered defensive assistance.
Recent incidents have also amplified concerns over Saudi civilian and religious infrastructure. Saudi authorities have blamed the Houthis for attacks or attempted attacks in Makkah and a power plant in Medina that supplies the Prophet’s Mosque. The Houthis have denied responsibility for the Medina incident and rejected accusations over earlier threats to Makkah, with some aspects of the reported incidents disputed.
Pakistan Deepens Defence Partnership With Riyadh
Pakistan’s defence ties with Saudi Arabia stretch back many decades before the arrangement was last renewed. In September 2025, the two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, formalising their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and that aggression against either country would be regarded as aggression against both.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan later said the bilateral agreement entails a broad spectrum of military cooperation. Training, exercises and other forms of defence engagement are still part of the relationship, and so any reported troop reinforcement would be just one element of a broader security partnership rather than the full story.
Security Talks On The Horizon For Makkah Pact Members
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are arranging further discussions through the institutional mechanisms under the Makkah agreement. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on October 2 that the Strategic Political Defence Committee would meet in Riyadh soon to discuss the evolving regional security situation.
The three foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. The Foreign Office said the ministers discussed preparations for the formal operations of the secretariat, committees and working groups of the agreement and reviewed progress on their establishment.
Pakistan Struggles To Balance Security Cooperation And Regional Stability
Such a deployment of troops would place Pakistan in the midst of a rapidly changing regional security environment. However, any move to expand the personnel would have to be carefully balanced against operational needs, existing commitments and the wider impact on Pakistan’s regional diplomacy.
Pakistan’s official position has always stressed the defensive nature of its cooperation with Saudi Arabia. The Makkah agreement itself mentions that its purpose is collective deterrence and defence. Pakistan has also reiterated support for peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for international law.
Pakistan’s Defence Role Has Broader Strategic Significance
A more muscular Pakistani security role in Saudi Arabia could deepen an already extensive bilateral defence relationship. There is a long-standing history of military cooperation between the Pakistani and Saudi militaries, including training and exercises, and the recent trilateral arrangements with Türkiye have added another layer of institutional coordination.
But the number quoted of up to 25,000 troops should be taken as a statement from an unnamed security source, not as a confirmed decision to deploy, they said. Pakistani statements in the public domain have confirmed ongoing defence cooperation and preparations under the Makkah agreement but have not established that 25,000 additional troops will be deployed.
