Pakistan on Wednesday warned that any hostile act against its flagged vessels or maritime interests will be perceived as a grave threat to its national security and sovereign interests, adding it reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect these assets.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “unequivocally” condemns ongoing threats to Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthis militia. “Such actions threaten regional security, undermine freedom of navigation, challenge the rules-based maritime order and jeopardize uninterrupted flow of global commerce,” it said.
Terming such threats “unacceptable,” the statement noted they violated established principles of international law. “Pakistan is particularly concerned by reports of threats directed against vessels engaged in lawful commercial trade with the Kingdom,” it said.
“Pakistan reaffirms that any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged vessels or Pakistani maritime interests will be regarded as a grave threat to Pakistan’s national security and sovereign interests,” read the statement. “Consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, Pakistan reserves its right to take all necessary measures, including lawful use of force, in the exercise of self-defense to protect its maritime assets and national interests,” it added.
The Foreign Office expressed deep concern over attempts to drag Saudi Arabia into the conflict in the Middle East, reiterating its unwavering support for the security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity of the brotherly Gulf kingdom.
“While remaining steadfast in its commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and regional de-escalation, Pakistan calls upon all parties to respect international law and ensure the safety and security of international maritime shipping,” it added.
Amidst renewed hostilities between Iran and the United States, Saudi Arabia last week announced it had intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis from Yemen towards the kingdom’s southern region. A spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said the missiles were intercepted after being fired by the “terrorist Houthi militia” towards southern Saudi Arabia.
On Monday, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Iran had pressed the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the U.S. continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure.