Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed strong condemnation of the Houthi militia’s recent attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Thursday. He described these attacks as unacceptable violations of international law that endanger freedom of navigation and commercial shipping, while destabilizing regional peace and security.
In this significant development, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that he, along with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan, stand firmly with the Saudi leadership and its citizens amid the ongoing situation.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and prosperity. He assured the crown prince of Pakistan’s continued collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the international community to foster peace, security, and stability, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime trade through the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and the broader region.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledged Pakistan’s support and underscored the close fraternal relationship between the two nations. PM Shehbaz also extended his warm regards and best wishes to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
In a related development, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a strong condemnation on Wednesday against threats posed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The statement warned that Pakistan would take all necessary measures, including lawful use of force, if vessels flying the Pakistani flag or the country’s maritime interests were endangered.
The Foreign Office highlighted that attacks on commercial ships trading with Saudi Arabia jeopardize regional security, global commerce, and the international maritime order. Such actions undermine freedom of navigation and disrupt the rules-based maritime system essential for uninterrupted global trade.
It was emphasized that any aggression against Pakistani-flagged vessels or maritime interests would be treated as a serious threat to Pakistan’s national security and sovereignty. The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s inherent right to self-defense in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
