Pakistan rejects New York Times report on PAF use against Houthis

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has dismissed a report by The New York Times claiming that the Pakistan Air Force was deployed against the Houthis, describing the report as entirely false and fabricated.

According to a fact-check issued by the ministry, the Pakistan Air Force has not been deployed against the Houthis. The ministry said the report published by The New York Times was completely false and had no factual basis.

The Ministry of Information said the report concerning the alleged use of Pakistani fighter aircraft against Houthi targets was false and fabricated.

The ministry’s fact-check comes amid heightened international attention on the role of Pakistan under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

The agreement is officially described by Pakistan as defensive in nature and aimed at strengthening collective security and deterrence.

International media urged to avoid speculation

The Ministry of Information once again urged international media outlets to refrain from speculation regarding the possible deployment of Pakistani forces under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

The ministry said that reports based on speculation should be avoided, particularly concerning operational details or the possible use of Pakistani military forces.

It stressed that if the deployment of Pakistani forces becomes necessary, the relevant authorities themselves will provide the details.

Pakistan has previously maintained that the Makkah Accord is defensive in nature and is not directed against any country. The agreement provides for collective defence in the event of an armed attack against any of its three members.

A day ago, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the Pakistan armed forces already have troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to CNN, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistani military personnel had been in Saudi Arabia for decades under the Makkah agreement. He said Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia served in different military domains and had multiple capabilities.

He further said the Makkah alliance was not a new development or something that had emerged in a vacuum. He added that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had longstanding diplomatic, political and military ties, along with strong people-to-people relations.

(AA): Iran is reviewing US feedback on Tehran’s proposed seven-day plan to reopen the Strait…

The U.S. Department of Labor announced it would suspend Microsoft and Adobe from its Permanent…

F.P. Report LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has disposed of 945 references challenging death…

F.P. Report Federal Constitutional Court has decided to take up key case regarding the disqualification…

F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bahrain have reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral…

BENGALURU (Reuters) : Indian opposition groups demonstrated for a third day on Thursday, protesting police…