ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the attempted drone attack on the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah, saluting the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for their swift and heroic response while reaffirming Pakistan's unwavering support for Saudi Arabia and the Haramain Sharifain .

🚨🇵🇰🇸🇦 BREAKING

PM Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemns the attempted drone attack on Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

He salutes the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for their swift response and reaffirms Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia and the Haramain Sharifain. pic.twitter.com/EB73I3FZWr

- Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) September 16, 2026

The Attempted Attack

According to the Saudi-led coalition, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by the Houthi militia at approximately 6:50 PM local time on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, before it entered the prohibited airspace of the Holy City of Makkah. The drone was intercepted south of Makkah, with wreckage falling in the area .

Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki described the incident as the second reported attempt to target Makkah, following a ballistic missile launch on July 27, 2017. He stated that the security of the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims is a "red line," vowing that the coalition would take necessary measures to deter further attacks .

The Houthi militia has denied responsibility for the attack, with senior official Hezam al-Asad dismissing the claim as a "nauseating lie" .

PM Shehbaz's Strong Condemnation

In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack against the Holy Site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The people of Pakistan are saddened and perturbed by this outrageous act. There can be no words strong enough to capture the depth of anguish and sorrow felt by us at this reprehensible and unforgivable act" .

The Prime Minister saluted the "extraordinary vigilance, courage, and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces" for their "swift and heroic action" .

Call for Restraint and Dialogue

PM Shehbaz reiterated his call for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and step back from the brink of further escalation, emphasizing that "our region has already suffered far too much from conflict" and that "dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable path towards peace" .

Unwavering Support for Saudi Arabia

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast commitment: "Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the defence of its sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as for the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain - a duty that every Pakistani carries close to their heart" .