Navy acts to shield maritime routes

Escorts and patrols deployed under Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr

ISLAMABAD:

As the ongoing war between Iran and the United States–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 energy lifelines.

The Pakistan Navy announced the launch of Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr, a mission designed to ensure the safe passage of merchant vessels and protect sea 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-Israel alliance has raised 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 through the strait, and reports of heightened naval activity in the region have alarmed global markets and regional states heavily dependent on maritime trade.

Pakistan, whose economy relies overwhelmingly on sea-based commerce, is particularly vulnerable to any disruption.

Nearly 90% of the country's trade is conducted through maritime routes, while a large portion of its oil imports passes through the Strait of Hormuz before reaching Pakistani ports.

Against this backdrop, the Pakistan Navy said it had activated escort operations to ensure the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and maritime commerce.

"In view of the evolving regional maritime security environment and potential disruptions to critical sea lanes, Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multidimensional threats to national shipping and maritime trade," the military's media wing said in a statement.

The navy said the initiative was aimed at ensuring the security of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and protecting vessels carrying essential commodities to Pakistan.

According to the statement, Pakistan Navy ships have already begun escorting commercial vessels operating under the Pakistan flag.

"PN escort operations are being conducted in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC)," the statement said.

At present, navy ships are escorting two merchant vessels, one of which is scheduled to arrive in Karachi later on Sunday.

The navy said it was closely monitoring the maritime situation and exercising control over merchant vessel movement to ensure safe transit through potentially vulnerable waters.

"Pakistan Navy is fully cognizant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement 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 widening Iran–US-Israel conflict could spill over into key maritime corridors, disrupting global shipping and energy flows.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, handles nearly a fifth of the world's oil shipments. Any blockade or military confrontation in the narrow waterway could send shockwaves through global energy markets and severely affect countries like Pakistan that depend heavily on imported fuel.

Recent days have seen a surge in tensions 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 begun reassessing routes and insurance costs, while some vessels are reportedly avoiding high-risk areas.

For Pakistan, the stakes are particularly high. Any prolonged disruption to maritime routes could impact oil supplies, increase freight costs and place further pressure on an already fragile economy.

Officials say Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr is primarily a defensive measure designed to reassure commercial operators and ensure the continuity of trade.

The Pakistan Navy emphasised that it remains prepared to respond to emerging maritime threats and will continue to play its role in maintaining regional maritime stability.

"Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared to respond to emerging maritime security challenges and is committed to ensuring the safety of national shipping and regional maritime security," the statement said.

While Islamabad has not directly linked the operation to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf, analysts believe the timing clearly reflects the strategic anxieties created by the escalating Iran–US-Israel confrontation.