Dhaka, Sept. 18 -- Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the time has come to activate the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye as Houthi attacks on the kingdom escalate, Middle East Eye reports.

Speaking to Geo News on Wednesday, Asif said Pakistan remained committed to defending Saudi Arabia and the holy cities of Makkah and Madina, saying Islamabad had a duty to protect them even without the pact.

"Makkah Agreement applies to us, and we will fulfil our duty," he was quoted as saying by Middle East Eye.

The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah.

"Our operations target [Saudi] oil facilities and military bases, which are far removed from the sacred sites," spokesman Yahya Saree said, according to Mi...