ISPR says operation aims to ensure vital maritime routes remain safe, secure and uninterrupted
The Pakistan Navy on Monday launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter “multi-dimensional threats to national shipping and maritime commerce” amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the military’s media wing said.
Tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated after US and Israeli airstrikes assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials last week, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to these strikes, Iran launched retaliation against US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
The conflict has already led to the suspension of around a fifth of global crude and natural gas supplies, as Tehran targets shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz, between its coasts and Oman, and attacks the region’s energy infrastructure.
An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued today said, “In view of the evolving regional maritime security environment and potential disruptions to critical shipping lanes, the Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multi-dimensional threats to national shipping and maritime commerce.
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and security of maritime lines of communication (SLOC).
The ISPR further said that with around 90 per cent of Pakistan’s trade carried out by sea, the operation aimed to ensure that vital maritime routes remain “safe, secure and uninterrupted”.
Considering the evolving regional maritime security environment and potential disruptions to critical shipping lanes, the Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multi-dimensional threats to national shipping and maritime commerce. The initiative was undertaken to… pic.twitter.com/sMsxk1L1Ww
– PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 9, 2026
“PN’s escort operations are being carried out in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. The PN is fully aware of the current maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movements of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit,” the statement said.
The ISPR said the navy ships were currently escorting two merchant vessels, one of which was expected to arrive in Karachi today.
“The Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared to respond to emerging maritime security challenges and is committed to ensuring national maritime transport security and regional maritime security,” the statement added.
