Pakistan Warns of Swift Retaliation Against Any Attack on Its Vessels in Red Sea
Pakistan on Thursday vowed to retaliate swiftly against any hostile act targeting vessels flying its flag or its maritime interests in the Red Sea, warning that such acts would be considered grave threats to its national security.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made the remarks during a weekly press briefing, hours after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. Mr. Andrabi stated that any attack on Pakistani-flagged or commercial vessels would be treated as an attack on Pakistan and would be met with a swift response.
“The hostile act will be regarded as a grave threat to its national security,” he said, adding that Pakistan would act in self-defence. Islamabad has so far avoided direct involvement in the armed conflict despite a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Andrabi unequivocally condemned the continued threat from the Houthis against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, noting that it endangers regional security, freedom of navigation, and global trade. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to implementing all bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia, including those on mutual defence.
Regarding the situation in the Gulf region, he repeated Pakistan’s call for all parties to exercise restraint and said Islamabad is pursuing diplomatic outreach in support of dialogue and diplomacy.
The Houthi rebels had earlier announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, aiming to block Saudi vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait in retaliation for what they described as Riyadh's blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Separately, the Foreign Office spokesperson strongly rejected a recent Amnesty International report concerning Pakistan's strikes in Kabul, calling it unfortunate that serious allegations were presented without credible evidence.
Mr. Andrabi also expressed disappointment over an EU report on Pakistan’s compliance under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which gives preferential trade treatment to Pakistani textile goods in European markets. He said the report understates the breadth of reforms undertaken since Pakistan joined GSP+ in 2014 and places disproportionate emphasis on lower-than-desired progress in a few areas.
