Pakistan, Sept. 24 -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif marked Saudi Arabia's National Day on Wednesday by pledging that Pakistan would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with the kingdom in defending its sovereignty, security and the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain. He specifically condemned the attempted Houthi drone attack on Makkah. Hours later, retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood was named the first secretary-general of the Makkah Defence Alliance, with Pakistan set to head its Riyadh-based secretariat for three years.

The appointment comes as the three-country pact faces questions far sooner than its founders might have expected. Houthi missiles and drones have targeted Riyadh, Saudi energy facilities and shipping routes. Turkiye has said it is...