Pakistan has condemned the continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed its support for Yemen’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. The position was set out by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, in New York after the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution renewing the sanctions measures established under resolution 2140 (2014) and extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 2140 Committee.
Ambassador Shah condemned in the strongest terms the continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. He expressed Pakistan’s full and unwavering solidarity with the leadership, government and brotherly people of Saudi Arabia, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolute support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability.
He underscored Saudi Arabia’s legitimate right to defend its territory and to protect its citizens and residents in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, and called for an immediate and unconditional end to what he described as the reprehensible Houthi attacks.
Support for UN-led peace efforts
Ambassador Shah welcomed the Security Council resolution and underscored the importance of the 2140 Committee’s work in promoting peace, security and stability in Yemen. He appreciated the constructive efforts of the United Kingdom, as the penholder, during the negotiations leading to the adoption of the resolution, and said Pakistan had voted in favour of it to reaffirm the importance it attached to the Committee’s work.
He emphasised that holding accountable individuals and entities threatening Yemen’s peace, security and stability was essential to creating conditions for durable peace. On the implementation of the sanctions regime, he stressed the importance of upholding the institutional framework established by the Security Council, and said the Panel of Experts must discharge its responsibilities strictly in accordance with its mandate, with professionalism, impartiality and consistency.
Call for a political settlement in Yemen
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in Yemen, Ambassador Shah underscored the importance of UN-led efforts to advance an inclusive political process that is Yemeni-owned and Yemeni-led. He reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to support all efforts aimed at restoring peace, stability and security in Yemen and alleviating the humanitarian suffering of its people.
The statement comes days after Pakistan’s Foreign Office strongly condemned an attempted Houthi attack on a Saudi Aramco administrative building in Riyadh, in which no casualties were reported. The Saudi-led coalition said its air defences had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh. Reports this week have also pointed to Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, including infrastructure and shipping, underlining the wider regional security concerns raised by Pakistan at the United Nations.
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