Houthi actions pose serious threat to regional peace, security: FO

Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over what it described as provocative maneuvers by an Indian Navy vessel inside Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), while reiterating full solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional tensions. Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan also said Pakistan condemned the Houthi attacks and urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation. The Indian High Commission's Chargé d'Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office and issued a demarche over the actions of an Indian naval vessel within Pakistan's maritime economic zone. According to the Foreign Office, the Indian vessel carried out aggressive maneuvers dangerously close to a Pakistani naval ship, resulting in contact between the two vessels. Pakistan said the incident took place on September 15 while the Pakistan Navy was conducting its biennial SEASPARK-26 exercise. The Foreign Office said the incident constituted a serious violation of international law and the 1991 bilateral agreement on advance notice of military exercises, maneuvers and troop movements. The Indian Chargé d'Affaires was told that Pakistan categorically condemned the conduct and was asked to convey Islamabad's position to the Indian government. A demarche was also issued to Pakistan's Chargé d'Affaires in New Delhi, who will lodge the same protest with India's Ministry of External Affairs. Pakistan has also called upon the international community to take notice of what it described as India's provocative policies and urged New Delhi to desist from actions that could further destabilize South Asia. Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia The Foreign Office said Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia and supports the Kingdom's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also condemned the Houthi attacks, while Pakistan has strongly condemned a drone attack targeting the East-West Pipeline in Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Office said the pipeline attack caused infrastructure damage and civilian injuries. Pakistan has also expressed strong concern over the attempted attack targeting Makkah, saying the sanctity and security of the Two Holy Mosques are close to the heart of every Pakistani. The Foreign Office said the attempted attack was a violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed that Houthi actions pose a serious threat to regional peace and security. Pakistan also said it stands with Saudi Arabia in protecting the Two Holy Mosques and ensuring the safety of pilgrims. PM Shehbaz reaffirms solidarity with Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by telephone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on September 13 and reiterated Pakistan's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its commitment to cooperation for regional peace. The Foreign Office said the people of Pakistan were deeply distressed and concerned over the attempt to target Makkah, describing the incident as deplorable and saying words were inadequate to express the sorrow caused by it. Pakistan also welcomed the timely response and professional competence of the Saudi forces and said the attack had hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world. The Foreign Office called for maximum restraint by all parties and urged them to avoid steps that could escalate the conflict. Pakistan calls for dialogue on Afghanistan On developments involving Afghanistan, Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan had seen reports about visits to Kabul by Qatari and Turkish officials but that the objectives and background of those visits remained unknown. He reiterated that Pakistan advocates resolving all its issues through dialogue, while stressing that Afghanistan must take steps to curb terrorism originating from its territory. The spokesperson said all countries, including China, support peace and stability in the region. He also clarified that Afghan students currently in Pakistan on valid visas and enrolled in educational courses may continue their stay. Concerns over ship attack off Oman The Foreign Office also provided an update regarding a ship that came under attack off the coast of Oman. The spokesperson said 23 Pakistanis were aboard the vessel. Of these, 22 were rescued, while one Pakistani national who was in the engine room remains missing. Makkah agreement defensive in nature The spokesperson said Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have issued press releases regarding the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which was signed by the three countries on August 7. He described the agreement as a defence-related arrangement and said Pakistan remains committed to its implementation, although operational details cannot be disclosed. Pakistan has also emphasized that the agreement is aimed at regional peace and stability. The three countries have continued consultations through the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the pact. Pakistan rejects claims over Sikh pilgrims The Foreign Office rejected claims that Pakistani Sikh citizens are being prevented from travelling to India. The spokesperson said India has closed the Wagah border and has also made it difficult for Pakistani citizens to obtain visas. In contrast, Pakistan issued more than 2,800 visas for Baisakhi alone this year. The Foreign Office also said India, rather than Pakistan, has kept the Kartarpur Corridor closed. Pakistan remains committed to the Makkah agreement and is ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims through the Kartarpur Corridor, the spokesperson said. India expected at next SCO summit The spokesperson noted that India was represented by its Chargé d'Affaires at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting held in Islamabad. India is expected to be represented at the SCO summit to be hosted in Islamabad next year, as Pakistan continues its chairmanship of the organization. The Foreign Office said peace and stability are in the interest of the entire region and not only Pakistan and Iran. Pakistan urges Houthis to halt activities On the situation involving Yemen, the Foreign Office said the Houthis must halt their activities. The spokesman described the Houthis as a militant organisation, stressing that Yemen has a legitimate, internationally recognised government. Pakistan has reiterated that it supports peace and stability in the wider region and continues to monitor developments in the Middle East closely. The FO spokesperson said Pakistan's policy on Palestine is clear and remains an important component of the country's foreign policy, drawing a parallel with the Kashmir issue. 'We strongly reject Israel's aggression and its actions against the Palestinian people,' the Foreign Office stated. The Foreign Office also said Pakistan supports Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity and that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has remained in contact with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi. Cricket award controversy The Foreign Office also expressed regret over the decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that prevented the Indian women's cricket team from accepting an award from Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The spokesperson described the development as regrettable while addressing questions related to the cricketing ties between the two countries. Sajjad Haider also highlighted the Foreign Office's efforts to improve public services and strengthen its document verification system. He said the FO maintains a high level of professional confidence and verifies around 18,000 documents every day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has introduced several services for the public, including QR codes, power of attorney facilities and courier services, the spokesperson said. Apostille service expanded to 120 countries Under the Apostille system, documents are verified in Islamabad for use in 120 countries, according to the Foreign Office. The spokesperson said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuously working to improve its systems and make its services more accessible and efficient for the public. The Foreign Office has also generated approximately Rs3 billion in revenue from document verification over the past three years, reflecting the scale of the ministry's consular and authentication services.