By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the continued threats by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, warning that such actions pose a serious risk to regional stability and global trade.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said threats against commercial vessels and trade linked to Saudi Arabia are unacceptable and violate established principles of international law. It added that such actions undermine freedom of navigation, challenge the rules-based maritime order, and threaten the uninterrupted flow of international commerce.
The Foreign Office also expressed deep concern over attempts to draw Saudi Arabia further into the ongoing Middle East conflict, emphasizing the need to avoid further escalation in the region.
The statement follows heightened tensions after the Houthis announced a naval blockade targeting Saudi Arabia and threatened commercial shipping. The development comes days after Saudi Arabia intercepted ballistic missiles launched from Yemen toward its southern regions.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its national interests, the Foreign Office warned that any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged vessels or the country’s maritime assets would be regarded as a grave threat to national security and sovereignty.
It stressed that, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law, Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures, including the lawful use of force in self-defence, to safeguard its maritime interests and ensure the security of its commercial shipping.
