Table of Contents
Islamabad Issues Strong Warning Over Red Sea Security
Pakistan has strongly condemned threats by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, warning that it reserves the right to use force if any Pakistani-flagged vessels or the country’s maritime interests are targeted.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said threats against commercial vessels engaged in trade with Saudi Arabia pose a serious risk to regional security, global commerce, and the international maritime order.
Maritime Security and Self-Defense Rights
The FO said such actions undermine freedom of navigation and jeopardize the rules-based international maritime system, as well as the uninterrupted flow of global trade. Any attempt to target Pakistani-flagged ships or Pakistan’s maritime interests would be regarded as a grave threat to the country’s national security and sovereign interests and would not be tolerated.
The statement mentioned that, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law, Pakistan retains the inherent right to self-defense and reserves the right to take all necessary measures, including the lawful use of force, to protect its national interests and maritime assets.
Support for Saudi Arabia
Reaffirming Islamabad’s support for Saudi Arabia, the FO said Pakistan remains committed to the kingdom’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and prosperity. The statement follows earlier communications from Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership to Iran, conveyed at the highest level, that any Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia would be viewed as attacks on Pakistan itself.
Pakistan’s position is reinforced by the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed with Saudi Arabia last year, under which an armed attack on one country would be considered an attack on both. Thousands of Pakistani soldiers are deployed near the Saudi-Yemen border, increasing their direct exposure to the conflict.
Call for De-escalation
Pakistan’s support for de-escalation in the region was also reiterated, urging all parties to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, respect international law, and ensure the safety of international shipping and global maritime trade.
