Pakistan: Threatening any ship flying our flag constitutes a threat to our national security

Tahir Hussain Andrabi, the spokesperson for the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemned the ongoing threats launched by the Houthis against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. During his weekly press conference, Andrabi commented on reports of attacks on Saudi ships during the night, affirming that these threats endanger regional security and freedom of navigation and global trade. He emphasized Pakistan’s firm stance in rejecting any measures that undermine regional stability and threaten international maritime interests.

He reiterated that Pakistan considers any hostile action against ships flying the Pakistani flag or against Pakistani maritime interests a serious threat to its national security, warning that Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures in self-defense, in accordance with international law.

Andrabi expressed Pakistan’s deep concern over attempts to draw the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into conflict in the Middle East, reaffirming his country’s steadfast support for the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

He noted that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had warned, in a strong statement last week following the attack on Saudi Arabia, that such attacks have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability, emphasizing that the Prime Minister’s words resonate even more deeply today amid escalating hostilities and armed attacks.

He added, “Pakistan reiterates its call for all parties to exercise restraint,” noting that dialogue remains the only viable solution to prevent a broader regional conflict, as Pakistan continues its diplomatic engagement in support of dialogue and diplomacy as the sole means to overcome the crisis.