By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned threats by Yemen's Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, warning that any attack on Pakistani-flagged vessels or the country's maritime interests would be treated as a serious national security threat.

Speaking at the Foreign Ministry's weekly press briefing, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remained deeply concerned by the escalating security situation in the Middle East and Gulf region following Houthi threats to impose a maritime embargo on Saudi commercial shipping and reports of attacks on Saudi vessels.

"Pakistan unequivocally condemns the continued threats by the Houthis against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea," Andrabi said, adding that such actions endanger regional security, freedom of navigation and global trade.

He warned that Islamabad would regard "any hostile act against Pakistani-flagged vessels or Pakistan's maritime interests" as a grave threat to national security and reserved the right to take all necessary measures in self-defense in accordance with international law.

The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while expressing concern over attempts to draw the kingdom deeper into the widening regional conflict.

Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's statement issued after attacks on Saudi Arabia last week, Andrabi said the prime minister had warned that such incidents risked further undermining regional peace and stability. He reiterated Pakistan's call on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.

Pakistan continues diplomatic outreach

Andrabi said Pakistan was actively pursuing diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and de-escalation across the region.

He highlighted the visit this week of Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

According to the spokesperson, the visit reflected close coordination between Pakistan and Iran on regional developments and Islamabad's continued engagement aimed at preventing a broader conflict.

Pakistan has consistently maintained that dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving tensions in the region, he added.

Regional diplomacy

The spokesperson also outlined a series of diplomatic engagements undertaken by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

He said Dar recently spoke by telephone with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah, with both sides emphasizing de-escalation, respect for sovereignty and implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, Dar met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, where both ministers discussed the Middle East conflict and stressed dialogue, respect for territorial integrity and concerns over the impact of instability on maritime trade, global energy security and the world economy.

Dar also met Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who, according to Andrabi, praised Pakistan's constructive role in promoting dialogue and regional peace. Both sides underscored the importance of upholding the ceasefire, respecting international law and working toward lasting stability.

Engagement with SCO, ASEAN and major powers

The spokesperson said Dar had traveled to Bishkek to lead Pakistan's delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Kyrgyzstan, where he is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from member states and call on the Kyrgyz president.

Earlier this week, Dar represented Pakistan at the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Manila, where he held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and senior officials from the Asian Development Bank.

According to Andrabi, Dar and Lavrov reviewed bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity and multilateral coordination.

AI cooperation and China ties

The spokesperson said Dar also visited Shanghai last week to attend the signing ceremony establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), describing Pakistan as a founding member of the initiative.

During the visit, Dar held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with discussions focusing on implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), regional connectivity, Shanghai Cooperation Organization cooperation and broader strategic relations.

Both sides reaffirmed what Pakistan describes as the Pakistan-China "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership."

Canada's top diplomat visit

Andrabi also highlighted Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand's official visit to Pakistan on July 20, the first by a Canadian foreign minister in nearly two decades.

He said the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, security, climate issues and development while signing a protocol on phytosanitary import requirements for genetically modified Canadian canola intended for food, feed and processing.

The agreement, he said, forms part of broader efforts by both countries to institutionalize bilateral engagement and expand economic cooperation.