ISPR says the operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe and uninterrupted.
Pakistan Navy on Monday launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter “multidimensional threats to domestic shipping and maritime trade” amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the military’s media wing said.
Tensions in the Middle East rose sharply after US and Israeli airstrikes last week killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, prompting a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the attacks, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
The conflict has already led to the suspension of around a fifth of the world’s supply of crude oil and natural gas, as Tehran attacks ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz, between its coasts and Oman, and attacks energy infrastructure across the region.
An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued today said: “In view of the evolving regional maritime security environment and possible disruptions in critical sea routes, Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multi-dimensional threats to domestic shipping and maritime trade.”
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and security of sea lines of communication (SLOC).
The ISPR further stated that since about 90% of Pakistan’s trade is carried out through sea, the operation was aimed at ensuring that vital sea routes remained “safe and uninterrupted”.
In view of the evolving regional maritime security environment and potential disruptions in critical sea routes, Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multi-dimensional threats to domestic shipping and maritime trade. The initiative has been carried out to… pic.twitter.com/sMsxk1L1Ww
– PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 9, 2026
“The PN escort operations are being carried out in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. The PN is fully aware of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe passage,” he said.
The ISPR said Navy ships were currently escorting two merchant vessels, one of which was scheduled to arrive in Karachi today.
“Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared to respond to emerging maritime security challenges and is committed to ensuring national shipping security and regional maritime security,” he added.
