DOMINANT ANGLE
Islamabad is rallying Pakistan behind Riyadh: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cites the joint defence agreement of Mecca and demands the immediate halt to attacks on civilians.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirms the commitment to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and security, citing the joint defence agreement of Mecca (Geo News).
- 02
According to Saudi civil aviation, the October 10 attack left 12 dead and 309 injured, including two Bangladeshis (Geo News, ARY News).
- 03
Coalition spokesperson Turki Al-Maliki describes the attack as a "war crime" and promises a response in line with humanitarian law (ARY News).
ANALYSIS
Islamabad, October 11, 2026. The Pakistani press initially treats the attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport as an event that concerns Pakistan. Geo News reports that on Sunday, Islamabad "strongly condemned" the Houthi militia's attack, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to the "sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security" of the kingdom.
The head of government described the attack as "heinous" and deemed targeting civilians and critical infrastructure "completely unacceptable" and a blatant violation of international law. He referred to the joint defense agreement of Mecca and the fraternal ties between the two countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on its part, spoke of an act of terrorism and a grave threat to regional peace.
The facts come from Saudi authorities. According to the General Authority for Civil Aviation, on Saturday, October 10, twelve people died and 309 were injured, some in critical condition: four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and one national from each of the following countries: the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Egypt. Geo specifies that this is the third attack of the week on this airport and the deadliest in the kingdom in over ten years, without prior warning from the alert system.
Geo, citing Reuters, also notes that these strikes raise questions about the flaws in Saudi Arabia's air defense, as the kingdom is conducting an air campaign in support of a ground offensive by the Yemeni government. Flights to Riyadh have been diverted or canceled, and the airport's activity has been temporarily disrupted.
ARY News follows the coalition's line. Its spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, speaks of a "war crime" committed by the Houthis, a terrorist act against a passenger terminal, and promises a "decisive" response in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Geo finally reports that US President Donald Trump says he is considering US participation in Saudi strikes against the Houthis. The Pakistani press does not detail, in these articles, the Houthi version or their accusations against Riyadh.
