ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work closely to promote regional peace, security and stability and ensure the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime trade following Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
The understanding was reached during a telephone conversation on Thursday between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers, describing them as unacceptable and a violation of international law. He said such attacks threatened freedom of navigation and undermined regional peace and security.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia, saying he, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and the Pakistani nation stood firmly with the Saudi leadership and people during the current situation.
Held a telephone conversation with my dear brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this morning. I condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the Houthi militia’s attacks…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 23, 2026According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders agreed to continue close coordination to maintain peace, security and stability in the region and ensure the uninterrupted flow of lawful maritime commerce through the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region.
Islamabad : 23 July, 2026. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this morning. During their most cordial… pic.twitter.com/XlzeKKj4rg
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 23, 2026The telephone conversation came after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and Layla, in the Red Sea and threatened to impose a blockade on Saudi ports.
Saudi authorities confirmed that the Encelia had been hit but did not provide details about the second vessel.
The attacks have raised concerns over maritime security and global oil supplies, particularly amid heightened tensions in the region.
A day earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office had also condemned Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, saying such actions undermined freedom of navigation, challenged the rules-based maritime order and threatened global trade.
The Foreign Office said threats against commercial vessels engaged in lawful trade with Saudi Arabia were unacceptable and contrary to established principles of international law.
The development comes amid escalating regional tensions following the Houthi announcement of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
Last week, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis from Yemen towards its southern region.