After death of 3 Pakistani sailors, FO says Islamabad will implement maritime coalition 'in full earnest'

The Foreign Office (FO) has announced that Pakistan, as a signatory to the recently announced multinational maritime defence coalition, will fully commit to its responsibilities following the tragic deaths of three Pakistani sailors during Houthi strikes on a Saudi cargo ship. This follows Saudi Arabia's announcement of the coalition, aimed at protecting shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea region, which includes 14 countries, such as Pakistan, Turkiye and Egypt.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi clarified that Pakistan has signed a joint statement supporting the coalition and is actively engaged with Saudi authorities to implement their commitments. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directed Pakistan to ascertain the details of the agreement.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's visit to Iran aimed at discussing bilateral relations, security-related matters, and regional developments, particularly peace and stability in the region. Naqvi met with senior Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

In response to a question about the status of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and Iran, Andrabi affirmed that Pakistan remains committed to facilitating dialogue and resolving outstanding issues. He highlighted Pakistan's role as a mediator and facilitator, emphasizing the natural progression of conflicts and the potential for dialogue to re-emerge.

Regarding Pakistan's optimism amid the US-Iran conflict, the spokesperson noted that Pakistan has experienced cycles of heightened escalation followed by periods of relative calm and dialogue. He highlighted the importance of remaining optimistic as a credible facilitator, acknowledging that the situation requires continuous engagement and a positive approach.