Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to reinforce cooperation for regional peace, safety and stability whereas guaranteeing the uninterrupted motion of lawful maritime commerce after latest Houthi assaults on Saudi oil tankers within the Purple Sea.
The settlement got here throughout a phone dialog on Thursday between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the place each leaders mentioned the evolving safety state of affairs within the area.
Throughout the name, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Houthi assaults on Saudi oil tankers, calling them unacceptable and a transparent violation of worldwide regulation. He stated such actions pose a critical menace to freedom of navigation and endanger regional peace and safety.
The prime minister additionally reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering help for Saudi Arabia, stating that he, Chief of Military Workers and Chief of Defence Forces Area Marshal Asim Munir, and the folks of Pakistan stand firmly alongside the Saudi management and its folks through the present state of affairs.
Held a phone dialog with my expensive brother, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this morning.
I condemned, within the strongest attainable phrases, the Houthi militia’s assaults…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 23, 2026
Based on the Prime Minister’s Workplace, each leaders agreed to stay in shut contact and proceed coordinating efforts to safeguard peace, keep stability, and make sure the uninterrupted move of lawful maritime commerce by means of the Purple Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and surrounding waters.
Islamabad : 23 July, 2026.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a phone dialog with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this morning.
Throughout their most cordial… pic.twitter.com/XlzeKKj4rg
— Prime Minister’s Workplace (@PakPMO) July 23, 2026
The dialog passed off after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi motion claimed accountability for missile and drone strikes concentrating on two Saudi oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, within the Purple Sea, whereas additionally threatening to impose a blockade on Saudi ports.
Saudi officers confirmed that the Encelia was struck within the assault however didn’t launch additional particulars concerning the second vessel.
The incident has intensified considerations over maritime safety and the steadiness of worldwide oil provides at a time when regional tensions stay excessive.
A day earlier, Pakistan’s Overseas Workplace had additionally condemned the Houthi threats in opposition to Saudi Arabia and industrial transport within the Purple Sea, saying such actions undermine freedom of navigation, problem the rules-based maritime order and threaten worldwide commerce.
The Overseas Workplace acknowledged that threats in opposition to industrial vessels engaged in lawful commerce with Saudi Arabia are unacceptable and violate established ideas of worldwide regulation.
The newest developments come amid rising regional tensions after the Houthis introduced a naval blockade in opposition to Saudi Arabia.
Final week, Saudi Arabia stated it had efficiently intercepted ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis from Yemen in the direction of the dominion’s southern area.
