ISLAMABAD:
As the ongoing war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance begins to disrupt regional maritime security and threaten critical global shipping routes, Pakistan on Monday launched a naval operation aimed at safeguarding its maritime trade and vital energy routes.
The Pakistan Navy has announced the launch of Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr, a mission aimed at ensuring the safe passage of merchant ships and protecting maritime lines of communication in the increasingly volatile waters of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf region.
The move comes at a time when the escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance is raising serious concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Tehran has repeatedly threatened to disrupt traffic across the strait, and reports of increased naval activity in the region have alarmed global markets and regional states heavily dependent on maritime trade.
Pakistan, whose economy relies largely on maritime trade, is particularly vulnerable to any disruption.
Nearly 90% of the country’s trade is carried out by sea, while much of its oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz before reaching Pakistani ports.
In this context, the Pakistan Navy said it has activated escort operations to ensure uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and maritime commerce.
“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,” the military’s media wing said in a statement.
The Navy said the initiative was aimed at ensuring security of maritime lines of communication (SLOC) and protecting ships carrying essential commodities to Pakistan.
According to the statement, Pakistan Navy ships have already started escorting commercial vessels operating under the Pakistani flag.
“PN escort operations are carried out in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC),” the statement said.
Currently, navy ships are escorting two merchant vessels, one of which is expected to arrive in Karachi later on Sunday.
The navy said it was closely monitoring the maritime situation and exercising control over the movements of merchant ships to ensure safe transit through potentially vulnerable waters.
“Pakistan Navy 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 added.
Security analysts say the naval operation reflects growing concerns in Islamabad that the growing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel could spill over into key maritime corridors, disrupting global shipping and energy flows.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, receives almost a fifth of the world’s oil shipments. Any blockade or military confrontation on the narrow waterway could send shockwaves through global energy markets and seriously affect countries like Pakistan, which rely heavily on fuel imports.
Tensions have escalated in recent days in the Gulf, with Iran warning that continued military pressure from the United States and Israel could force it to reconsider the security of maritime routes in the region.
International shipping companies have already started re-evaluating routes and insurance costs, while some ships are reportedly avoiding high-risk areas.
For Pakistan, the stakes are particularly high. Any prolonged disruption to shipping routes could impact oil supplies, increase freight costs and put additional pressure on an already fragile economy.
Officials say Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr is primarily a defensive measure intended to reassure commercial operators and ensure continuity of trade.
The Pakistan Navy stressed that it remains ready to respond to emerging maritime threats and will continue to play its role in maintaining regional maritime stability.
“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 said.
Although Islamabad has not directly linked the operation to the ongoing Gulf conflict, analysts say the timing clearly reflects strategic concerns created by the escalating Iran-US-Israel confrontation.
