Pakistan, Nov. 5 -- The distinction between collective defence and participation in an expanding conflict must therefore remain clear. Pakistani policymakers have emphasised the defensive character of the Makkah arrangement and stated that allied forces would not cross into Yemen to launch attacks against the Houthis. Such clarity is important because the credibility of a defence agreement rests not only on the commitments its members make, but also on their ability to define the limits and purposes of those commitments.

For Pakistan, responsible implementation should involve clear operational procedures, sustained political consultation, parliamentary and institutional oversight where applicable, and careful assessment of the country's ...