Pakistan media told to limit coverage on Saudi-UAE Yemen tension

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 1 January 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Pakistani media reduced coverage of the Saudi-UAE Yemen stand-off following directives from authorities, while Pakistan engaged in diplomacy to ease Gulf tensions.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — American online publication Drop Site reported that the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) told Pakistani media to refrain from publishing news or editorials on the first day of 2026 regarding the stand-off between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Yemen. The report on X included a snapshot of a message stating that the issue was sensitive as it involved two brotherly countries, urging that any published news be removed if necessary.

Media outlets comply with directives from authorities

Drop Site also highlighted images of the Express Tribune page on X, showing coverage of the stand-off that was later removed following the alleged order. According to Drop Site, multiple outlets halted reporting and deleted previously published stories in response to the directive.

Despite the reported restrictions, Dawn provided extensive coverage of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Foreign Office issued a statement, and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Sultan. The Saudi envoy in Pakistan subsequently met with the prime minister. Pakistan publicly supported Saudi Arabia’s position.

Regional implications and Pakistan’s diplomatic role

The Dawn report did not explicitly address the dispute over Yemen but emphasized Pakistan’s opposition to actions that escalate conflict. The Foreign Office statement expressed regret over violence in Yemen, asserting that Pakistan opposes unilateral steps by any Yemeni party that threaten regional peace and stability. Express Tribune similarly reported on the Foreign Office statement and the prime minister’s call with the Saudi crown prince.

Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of supplying weapons to southern Yemeni separatists and carried out an airstrike on December 30 targeting what it claimed was a UAE-linked shipment in Mukalla. Riyadh warned that Abu Dhabi’s actions threatened Saudi national security. The UAE denied the allegations, rejected the accusations, and announced the withdrawal of its remaining forces from Yemen, marking a significant rupture between the Gulf allies.

KEY POINTS:

• Pakistani media reportedly instructed to limit coverage of Saudi-UAE tensions in Yemen
• Express Tribune and other outlets removed previously published reports following the directive
• Dawn covered Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s call with the Saudi Crown Prince
• The Foreign Office statement opposed unilateral actions in Yemen and emphasized regional stability
• Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of supplying weapons to southern Yemeni separatists
• UAE denied allegations and announced troop withdrawal from Yemen

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting compiled from Drop Site, Dawn, and Express Tribune.

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only