Pakistan 'ready to fulfil obligations' under Mecca Pact, says Khawaja Asif as Saudi-Houthi conflict escalates

As the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalates, the newly signed pact is yet to be activated.

Amid the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni militant group the Houthis, Pakistan has now stated it stands "ready to fulfil its obligations" under the Makkah Defence Agreement.

The Makkah agreement, also known as the Mecca pact, was signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on August 7. Under this, the three nations have adopted a resolution similar to NATO's Article 5.

Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's charter states that an attack on one ally will be considered an attack on all.

Taking this into account, the pact between Islamabad, Ankara and Riyadh states that an attack on any one country will be regarded as an attack on all.

However, as the conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia escalates, the newly signed pact is yet to be activated.