Pakistan Navy launches Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to protect maritime trade routes

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Navy has initiated Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr in response to increasing regional security challenges and potential threats to national shipping and maritime trade, according to an official statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Operation aims to secure vital sea lanes

The ISPR stated that the operation was launched to address "multidimensional threats to national shipping and maritime trade" amid an evolving regional maritime security environment. The initiative is designed to ensure the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and the security of critical sea lines of communication.

"Pakistan Navy escort operations are being conducted in close coordination with Pakistan National Shipping Corporation," the ISPR statement said. The Navy is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to guarantee their safe and secure transit through Pakistani waters.

Significance for national trade

The ISPR highlighted that approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade is conducted via sea, underscoring the importance of safeguarding maritime routes. The operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe, secure, and uninterrupted, particularly in light of recent regional tensions and the potential for disruptions to critical shipping lanes.

“Pakistan Navy is fully cognisant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit,” the ISPR stated.

The operation comes as part of broader efforts to maintain the security of Pakistan’s maritime interests and protect the flow of energy shipments essential for the country’s economy.

Coordination with national shipping authorities

The ISPR further noted that the Navy’s escort operations are being carried out in close collaboration with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. This coordination is intended to enhance the security of merchant vessels and maintain the integrity of sea lines of communication.

Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr reflects the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime trade and energy supplies in the face of evolving regional security dynamics.