Rome, Sept. 30 -- Pakistan has signalled that it could provide direct military support to Saudi Arabia amid an escalation in attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants, with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif saying Islamabad would use "whatever means are available" to defend the kingdom.

Speaking to reporters in Rome, Asif referred to the new mutual defence arrangement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, saying Islamabad was committed to supporting Riyadh under the pact.

"I'm not going into detail, but obviously when I say that we are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia, that means whatever means are available at our disposal, they'll be available to Saudi Arabia also. I think that's a categoric statement," local med...