Pakistan Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Oil Tankers

Pakistan has strongly condemned recent attacks launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement against two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. The strikes, carried out as part of a previously declared naval blockade, have drawn sharp international criticism and heightened fears of further escalation in a critical global maritime trade route.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally conveyed his government’s condemnation during a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday. Reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to the Gulf kingdom, Sharif emphasized that such aggression poses a grave threat to regional stability and commercial shipping lanes.

In a statement published on social media following the call, Prime Minister Sharif denounced the assault on the vessels, framing it as a breach of international maritime law. He stated that targeting commercial shipping endangers freedom of navigation and undermines ongoing efforts to preserve peace across the Middle East. He further reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and long-term security of Saudi Arabia.

The Red Sea and its crucial bottleneck, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, serve as a vital corridor for global crude shipments and international trade. Recent hostilities by Houthi forces targeting commercial vessels carrying energy supplies have disrupted maritime routes, forcing several international shipping firms to reroute vessels around Africa. This strategic detour adds significant travel time and fuels concerns over rising energy transport costs worldwide.

The diplomatic response from Islamabad reflects deep-rooted historical and defense ties between the two nations. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain a long-standing strategic defense alliance, which encompasses joint military exercises, security cooperation, and high-level defense consultations. Consequently, security threats targeting Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure or maritime interests frequently prompt strong public solidarity and strategic backing from the Pakistani government.