• Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia during a UN address.
• He emphasized that any threat to Mecca and Medina is a "red line" not to be crossed.
• A new trilateral defense pact was signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, aimed at collective defense.
• Sharif called for diplomatic solutions amid rising tensions in the region.
• Military chiefs from the three nations met to enhance coordination in response to Houthi aggression.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, specifically warning that any threat to the sanctity of Muslim holy cities such as Mecca and Medina constitutes a "red line that must never be crossed." He stated, "The attempted drone attack on the holy city of Mecca has outraged Muslims across the globe. No Muslim can even dare to think of committing such a heinous act," highlighting the international outrage over the Houthis' actions, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

Sharif also elaborated on the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey aimed at mutual defense, stating that this pact confirms that an attack on any member is regarded as an attack on all. The agreement has been catalyzed by the continuous Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi installations, suggesting that regional military cooperation is paramount in the face of such threats, as reported by South China Morning Post.

While addressing the assembly, Sharif also indicated Pakistan's diplomatic role in easing tensions between the United States and Iran, mentioned in the context of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. He asserted that Pakistan has made concerted efforts to facilitate negotiations as a means to resolve regional conflicts, emphasizing that "amid the roar of missiles, drones, and guns, the voice for diplomacy must echo even louder and stronger," according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

Additionally, military leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey recently convened to discuss intelligence sharing and military coordination under the Mecca pact, reviewing the regional security situation and reaffirming their commitment to collective defense. Observers note that the Houthis' actions serve as a key test of this agreement, raising questions about the extent of military support Pakistan and Turkey will provide to Riyadh in response to Houthi aggressions, as highlighted by South China Morning Post.