Pakistan has reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, warning that threats to Pakistani maritime interests could justify the lawful use of force.
Pakistan on Thursday reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers during a telephone conversation with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reinforcing one of Islamabad's strongest warnings yet over security in the Red Sea.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif condemned the attacks "in the strongest possible terms", calling them a violation of international law that threatens freedom of navigation, commercial shipping and regional peace and stability. He reaffirmed Pakistan's "complete solidarity" with Saudi Arabia and reiterated support for the Kingdom's security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity.
Sharif also told the Saudi Crown Prince that Pakistan would continue working with the Kingdom and the international community to support peace, regional stability and the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime commerce through the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region. The Saudi Crown Prince thanked Pakistan for what the Prime Minister's Office described as its steadfast support and close bilateral ties.
The call came a day after Pakistan warned it reserved the right to take "all necessary measures, including lawful use of force" if Pakistani-flagged vessels or the country's maritime interests came under attack. The Foreign Office said any such incident would be treated as a grave threat to Pakistan's national security.
Islamabad also condemned Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. It said the threats undermine freedom of navigation, challenge the rules-based maritime order and jeopardise global commerce, while warning against attempts to widen the Middle East conflict.
The latest developments came after the Houthis announced a maritime embargo targeting Saudi Arabia and later claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, in the Red Sea. Saudi authorities confirmed Encelia caught fire after being struck near Jizan, while all crew members were reported safe.
Pakistan's warning has been described as the strongest issued by a non-Arab country since the Houthi threats emerged. The Bab al-Mandab Strait, linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, is a vital shipping route for Pakistan's trade and energy supplies, as Saudi oil exports increasingly rely on the corridor following disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn that a full closure of the Bab al-Mandab Strait could reduce global oil supply by an estimated 7%.
As tensions spread beyond the Gulf, Pakistan is positioning itself not only as a close Saudi ally but also as a stakeholder in protecting one of the world's most important maritime trade corridors. This places Islamabad's latest diplomatic and security messaging within a broader international effort to safeguard global shipping, energy supplies and regional stability.
A Kyiv-Warsaw train was struck near the Polish border, Ukraine's state railway firm said on Sunday. No passengers were injured. Ukrai...
Maritime trackers received new reports of an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to the ...
Indonesian rescuers are searching for 130 people after a passenger ship carrying 243 people sank in the Java Sea following bad weather, while 113 p...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the weekend BRICS summit, amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, joining a host of foreign dignitaries.
Maritime trackers received new reports of an attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), adding to concerns about energy supplies after Saudi Arabia shut down a vital oil pipeline on Saturday.
A Kyiv-Warsaw train was struck near the Polish border, Ukraine's state railway firm said on Sunday. No passengers were injured. Ukrainian Railways said that the country's railways were facing systematic attacks for a second day and warned of widespread delays.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline after it was hit by a drone attack, with Riyadh and Baghdad saying the strike originated from Iraq.
Dubai’s property market has spent years climbing. Now, for the first time since 2021, prices are moving in the opposite direction.
Saudi Arabia’s outbound travel market could surge from around $35 billion to more than $60 billion by 2030-2034, driven by a young generation of high-spending travellers and intensifying competition among global destinations.
Uzbekistan’s first permanent contemporary art institution has opened in a historic 1912 building in Tashkent, transforming a former tram depot and diesel power station into a new cultural hub for the region.
Uzbekistan plans to introduce a new Heritage Impact Assessment system to shield historic cities and cultural heritage sites from the potential impact of construction and infrastructure development. Digital tools will also be used to manage tourist numbers and limit visitors where necessary.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Gates Foundation, with talks spanning polio eradication, health, financial inclusion and digital development.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the weekend BRICS summit, amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, joining a host of foreign dignitaries.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment