Pakistan’s foreign ministry slammed a New York Times story alleging PAF jet deployment in Yemen as “fake and fabricated.”
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting issued a swift rebuttal after the newspaper claimed Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft were taking part in Saudi‑UAE led operations against the Houthi rebels in Yemen’s Red Sea corridor. In its statement, the ministry described the report as “completely untrue” and emphasized that no Pakistani aircraft have been dispatched to the conflict zone.
Officials reiterated that Pakistan’s armed forces are currently confined to defending national territory and fulfilling United Nations‑mandated peacekeeping duties abroad. Any overseas combat mission would require explicit parliamentary approval and coordination with allied governments—procedures that have not been triggered, according to the ministry.
The allegation surfaced at a time when the Yemeni war and attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea have drawn heightened scrutiny from regional powers. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both long‑time security partners of Islamabad, have been seeking additional air support to curb Houthi missile strikes that threaten global trade routes. A false narrative of Pakistani involvement could strain these strategic ties and complicate Pakistan’s delicate balancing act between Gulf allies and domestic public opinion.
The ministry cautioned media outlets to verify their sources before publishing such claims, warning that misinformation can erode the country’s diplomatic credibility. It added that the government remains committed to transparent communication on any future foreign‑policy or defence engagements.
In the wake of the denial, analysts expect Islamabad to closely monitor international coverage of the Yemen theater, ensuring that any genuine shift in Pakistan’s military posture would be clearly articulated through official channels rather than speculative reporting.