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TALAYINSIGHT
RegionSouth Asia

MediumIII Kinetic Conflicts & Defence9 October 2026, Friday

Pakistan says its troops in Saudi Arabia will not attack the Houthis

Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed on 9 October that the country has a substantial number of troops in Saudi Arabia. He said the force would remain limited to territorial defence and would not cross the border to attack the Houthis.

Location: ISLAMABAD

According to an AFP report published by Arab News Pakistan on 9 October, Khan told reporters in Islamabad that Pakistan had a substantial number of troops in the kingdom. He gave no figure and left unanswered a question on whether new deployments had been made since the conflict escalated. He stressed that Pakistani personnel would not cross the other side's border to attack the Houthis and would remain confined to territorial defence.

The statement clarifies remarks made by the army spokesman two days earlier. According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan on 7 October, ISPR Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told CNN that Pakistani troops were already in the kingdom with multiple domains and capabilities. UNI reported on 8 October that this confirmation came days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye agreed to allocate designated forces and capabilities under their trilateral pact.

The size of the force has not been officially disclosed. Pajhwok, citing Reuters on 19 May, reported that Pakistan had deployed about 8,000 troops, fighter jets, drones and a Chinese-made HQ-9 air defence system with Saudi funding. That figure is 5 months old and has not been confirmed by the Pakistani or Saudi governments. Which facilities the force protects and its actual size as of 9 October could not be verified.

Talay assessment

Bottom line

Islamabad has stopped denying the deployment but has confined its mission to defence. That line reflects an effort to honour the pact guarantee to Saudi Arabia without joining the Yemen war directly. The likeliest path is the Pakistani force staying in air defence and border security; if Houthi attacks drive up casualties on Saudi soil, that line will come under strain.

Likely effects

  • Gulf securityUncertainWeeks

    The Pakistani force, reported at 8,000 in May, adds capacity to Saudi air defence but does not expand offensive options against the Houthis.

  • Pakistani domestic politicsUncertainWeeks

    With the foreign ministry and the army spelling out the mission 2 days apart, the government pre-empts criticism that it is being dragged into the Yemen war.

  • TürkiyeUncertain1–6 months

    Since force allocations were agreed under the trilateral pact, Pakistan's defensive limit also sets a precedent for the scope of any Turkish contribution.

Possibilities, ranked

  1. 1
    Defensive line holds60%

    The Pakistani force stays in a defensive role inside the kingdom, with numbers and locations undisclosed.

    Watch: No change to the mission in weekly statements from ISPR and the foreign ministry

  2. 2
    Mission expands25%

    If Houthi attacks continue, Pakistan takes a more active role along the border or sends new units.

    Watch: Pakistan confirming the dispatch of new units or aircraft

  3. 3
    Visible drawdown15%

    Domestic security pressure or the risk of casualties pushes Islamabad to withdraw part of the force.

    Watch: An official statement on the return of Pakistani units

Probabilities are calibrated judgement based on the sources, not measurement, and are revised as new information arrives. Not investment advice.

Market reaction

Indicators affected

  • Troops (May estimate)▲ ~8,000

Sources

  1. Arab News Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan has 'substantial' forces deployed in Saudi Arabia: foreign ministry
  2. Radio Pakistan (state broadcaster) — Pakistani troops have been in Saudi Arabia for decades: DG ISPR
  3. UNI — Pakistan confirms military deployment in Saudi Arabia
  4. Pajhwok — Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, fighter jets to Saudi Arabia