Pakistan has strongly condemned an attack by Houthis on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, which killed three Pakistani nationals and injured another.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (PM) Ishaq Dar confirmed the casualties on Wednesday following the strike on the Tanzania-flagged vessel Tihamah.
The incident also claimed the life of an Indonesian crew member.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Dar said on X, adding that Pakistan strongly condemned the Houthi attack on a non-combatant commercial vessel.
He said the action violated international standards governing maritime transit. “Such attacks endanger innocent lives, constitute a violation of international law, and pose a serious threat to freedom of navigation, maritime security, and the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea,” he said.
The FM confirmed that Islamabad had initiated contact with regional partners to gather details regarding the assault. “We are in contact with the relevant Saudi authorities, as well as the internationally recognised government of Yemen, to ascertain further details of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it,” Dar added.
While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh to assist the affected citizens, Dar has instructed diplomats to “strongly pursue all necessary measures” to repatriate the bodies of the deceased besides securing medical care for the wounded national.
“We are closely following the situation and will continue to remain in close contact with the concerned authorities,” the FM noted.
Earlier, during a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated the government’s stance and ongoing relief measures.
“We learnt with this deep concern about this unfortunate incident involving an attack on vessel. This was a commercial vessel in the Red Sea,” he said and added that the government would continue monitoring the situation and share updates as facts emerge.
Addressing recent security initiatives, Andrabi highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to a regional maritime alliance formed under Saudi leadership.
“We support freedom of navigation in maritime security of international waterways under international law,” he said.
“Pakistan is the signatory of this coalition. We abide by its communique and we are ready and willing to assist Saudi Arabia and other coalition partners as an operationalisation of this communique to preserve the safety and security of global maritime.”
The strike on the Tihamah forms part of a series of maritime incidents reported across the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday. According to Yemen’s coastguard, an initial strike caused a fire and heavy structural damage to the vessel, killing four crew members. A second strike hit the vessel while rescue teams attempted to evacuate the crew.
The strikes follow a naval blockade announced by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia last month.
In response to initial threats, Pakistan previously warned that hostiles targeting its national shipping interests would cross a “red line” and trigger self-defence measures.
