ISPR says the operation aims to ensure that vital sea lanes remain safe, secure and uninterrupted
The Pakistan Navy on Monday launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter “multidimensional threats to national shipping and maritime commerce” amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the military’s media wing said.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after US and Israeli airstrikes last week assassinated Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, triggering a wave of retaliation from Tehran and widening the conflict across the region. In response to the attacks, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US military bases in several Gulf countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
The conflict has already led to the suspension of about a fifth of global crude and natural gas supplies 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 potential disruptions in critical sea lanes, the Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multi-dimensional threats to national shipping and maritime commerce.”
It said the initiative was aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies and the security of sea lines of communication (SLOCs).
The ISPR further stated that with approximately 90% of Pakistan’s trade carried out by sea, the operation aimed to ensure that vital sea lanes remained “safe, secure and uninterrupted”
In view of the evolving regional maritime security environment and potential disruption of critical sea lanes, the Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to address multidimensional threats to national shipping and maritime commerce. The initiative has been taken to… pic.twitter.com/sMsxk1L1Ww
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 9, 2026
“PN escort operations are conducted in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. PN is fully aware of the prevailing maritime situation and actively monitors and controls the movements of merchant ships to ensure their safe and secure transit,” it said.
The ISPR said naval ships were currently escorting two merchant ships, one of which was scheduled to arrive in Karachi today.
“The 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,” it added.
