Summary FO said threats to Saudi Arabia’s trade and commercial shipping were unacceptable
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan reserved the right to use force to defend its maritime assets and interests, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, warning that any hostile action against Pakistani-flagged vessels would be considered a threat to national security.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi condemned reports of attacks on commercial vessels by the Houthis and expressed concern over threats against ships engaged in legitimate trade with Saudi Arabia.
He said threats to Saudi Arabia’s trade and commercial shipping were unacceptable and could pose a serious threat to regional peace and global commerce.
The spokesperson warned that any aggressive action against Pakistani-flagged vessels would be viewed as a national security threat. He added that Pakistan considered any hostile action against its maritime interests a serious threat to its sovereign interests.
“Under international law, Pakistan reserves the right to use force to defend its maritime assets,” Andrabi said, reaffirming the country’s commitment to protecting its maritime interests.
Pakistan hopeful of Iran-US talks
The Foreign Office said Pakistan had urged all parties to exercise restraint amid rising tensions in the Middle East and reiterated its support for dialogue and diplomatic efforts.
“We are hopeful that Iran-US talks will take place,” the spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan believed dialogue was the only way to resolve tensions.
He said the Iranian interior minister had held meetings with the prime minister, deputy prime minister and field marshal, while Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue continued.
The spokesperson said threats against commercial vessels posed a serious risk to regional peace and international trade.
He added that Pakistan’s deputy prime minister had also held meetings with foreign ministers from several countries on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum, where discussions focused on peace in the Middle East and the need to reduce tensions.
Pakistan concerned over threats to Saudi Arabia
The Foreign Office said Pakistan was deeply concerned over continued threats by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned announcements about targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The spokesperson also expressed concern over attempts to draw Saudi Arabia into the wider Middle East conflict.
FO raises concerns over terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan
The Foreign Office also said terrorist safe havens continued to exist in Afghanistan, warning that alleged support for militant groups by the Afghan Taliban posed a threat to regional peace and security.
The spokesperson said thousands of Pakistanis had lost their lives in terrorist attacks and urged the international community to hold the Afghan Taliban accountable for providing support to terrorist groups.
Pakistan remains engaged with EU on GSP Plus
Responding to the European Union’s GSP-related report, the Foreign Office said the report issued for Pakistan was final and maintained that the country was implementing 27 international conventions linked to the GSP Plus framework.
The spokesperson said the GSP Plus status had benefited Pakistan’s economy and that Islamabad remained in regular contact with the European Union.
He added that Pakistan would continue implementing its commitments under international conventions.
