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.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.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)