Pakistan has hit back at reports linking its military to the ongoing conflict involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels, dismissing a New York Times report claiming Pakistani Air Force jets could target Houthi positions as “fake and fabricated.” Islamabad has also rejected a separate Reuters report suggesting that 30,000 to 40,000 Pakistani troops have been deployed to Saudi Arabia, calling the claims speculative and warning international media against unverified reporting on its military commitments. The controversy comes amid growing regional security concerns and renewed attention on the defence partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Under the Makkah defence pact, an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all, strengthening the commitment to collective defence and military coordination. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has indicated that agreed defence commitments could involve the rapid deployment of forces as regional threats escalate.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a direct appeal to Likud supporters ahead of Israel’s October 27 national election, telling party members that he is not a king and that he needs their votes to secure another term. Speaking to supporters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu urged the Likud base to remain energized as the campaign enters a crucial phase, framing the election as a major contest between Israel’s political right and left. The latest polling has shown a closely fought contest, with no candidate holding a definitive lead and Netanyahu’s Likud facing strong competition from centrist and opposition forces. Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly has added another layer to the political confrontation. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has previously sharply criticised Netanyahu and his government over the Gaza war and Palestinian rights. WATCH