By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Three Pakistani nationals were killed and another was injured in a Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said.
Dar condemned the attack on the cargo ship, describing such incidents as a serious threat to innocent human lives and maritime security.
He said Pakistan was in contact with Saudi authorities and Yemen’s internationally recognised government to gather further details about the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The foreign minister said attacks on commercial vessels endangered civilian lives and violated international law. He added that such incidents posed a serious threat to freedom of navigation and maritime security.
Dar directed the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh to immediately coordinate with the relevant authorities and take necessary steps to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies of the Pakistani nationals who were killed.
He said Pakistan was closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea and would maintain contact with the relevant authorities as developments emerged. He also expressed solidarity with the families of the Pakistani victims.
The Foreign Office spokesperson separately described the Houthi attack on the commercial vessel near Bab al-Mandab as deeply regrettable, saying it had increased risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Pakistan supports freedom of navigation in international waters, the spokesperson said, adding that the country was part of the Saudi-led maritime security coalition and was prepared to fulfil its responsibilities to help ensure safe navigation in international waters.
Yemeni government and coastguard sources had earlier reported that the Houthis attacked a cargo vessel in the Bab al-Mandab area of the Red Sea. The attack targeted the vessel’s deck and killed three members of its crew, according to the reports.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the Red Sea, a major international maritime route connecting the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.
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