ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday condemned a drone attack launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels to target the King Abdullah Airport in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani foreign office said.
The Iran-backed Houthi militia has repeatedly targeted vital installations, including airports, in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in flagrant violations of the international laws.
The latest drone attack targeting the Jazan airport caused injuries to civilians and material losses.
“Such attacks not only violate international law but also threaten peace and security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
“Pakistan calls for immediate cessation of these attacks,” it said, wishing speedy recovery to those wounded in the attack.
Islamabad reaffirmed its full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity, the statement added.
Earlier this month, the Yemen-based Houthi rebels also targeted the Abha airport in Saudi Arabia.
At least 12 people were injured by shrapnel at the airport after the Saudi air defenses intercepted an explosive-laden drone.
Pakistan condemns Houthi attempt to target Saudi Arabia’s Jazan airport
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Pakistan condemns Houthi attempt to target Saudi Arabia’s Jazan airport
- The drone attack by Iran-backed Houthi militia caused injuries to Saudi civilians and material losses
- Islamabad reaffirms full support to Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security, territorial integrity
UK announces ‘major reset’ of Pakistan development partnership with new trade, climate, education initiatives
- UK commits to increased investment-led cooperation in climate, business regulation and higher education
- London shifts from aid donor to investment-focused partner as bilateral trade crosses $7.3 billion
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom on Wednesday unveiled what it called a “major reset” in its development partnership with Pakistan, announcing new investment-focused cooperation, education programs and a bilateral climate compact during a visit by UK Minister for Development Jennifer Chapman.
The trip marks the first federal-level development dialogue between the two governments in eight years and reflects London’s shift from a traditional aid-donor role toward investment-based partnerships. The British government said the new approach aims to use UK expertise to help partner economies build capacity and unlock domestic growth.
Pakistan-UK trade has also reached a record high, crossing £5.5 billion ($7.3 billion) for the first time, with more than 200 British firms now active in Pakistan, an increase London says signals growing two-way commercial confidence.
“Pakistan is a crucial partner for the UK. We work together to tackle the drivers behind organized crime and illegal migration, keeping both our countries safer,” Chapman was quoted as saying in a statement by the British High Commission in Islamabad.
“Our strong bilateral trading relationship brings jobs and growth to us both. And we’re working together to tackle climate change, a global threat.”
The minister and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday jointly launched a package of business regulatory reforms aimed at improving Pakistan’s investment climate and making it easier for UK firms to operate. Officials said the initiative supports Pakistan’s economic recovery agenda and creates new commercial avenues for British companies.
A second key announcement was the next phase of the Pak-UK Education Gateway, developed with the British Council and Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission. The expanded program will enable joint research between universities in both countries, support climate- and technology-focused academic collaboration, and introduce a startup fund to help commercialize research. The Gateway will also promote UK university courses delivered inside Pakistan, giving students access to British degrees without traveling abroad.
Accompanied by Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, Chapman also launched a Green Compact, a framework for climate cooperation, green investment, environmental protection and joint work at global climate forums.
The UK emphasized it remains one of Pakistan’s largest development partners, citing ongoing work in education, health, climate resilience and anti-trafficking capacity building.
During the visit to Pakistan, Chapman will meet communities benefiting from UK-supported climate programs, which London says helped 2.5 million Pakistanis adapt to climate impacts in the past year, and observe training of airport officers working to prevent human trafficking.
“We remain firm friends of Pakistan, including in times of crisis, as shown through our floods response,” Chapman said. “And we know to accelerate growth in both our countries, we must work together in partnership to tackle the problems we face.”
