Islamabad: In response to questions raised by Jamaat-i-Islami leader Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, the Pakistan Navy has issued a clarification regarding the deployment of its warship to the Red Sea.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan expressed concern over the purpose of sending a navy warship to the Red Sea, questioning if it was intended to protect Israel from attacks by Yemeni Houthis. He emphasized that such a mission would be unacceptable and shameful for the Muslim Ummah.
However, the Pakistan Navy’s Director General of Public Relations (DGPR) reached out to Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan with a clarification. According to the Navy DGPR, the deployment is aimed at ensuring the safety of Pakistan-bound shipping and international shipping passing through Pakistani waters. The statement highlighted that the navy’s responsibility includes safeguarding sea lines of communication as per international obligations.
پاکستان نیوی کے ڈائریکٹر جنرل پبلک ریلیشن کموڈور سید رضوان خالد نے مجھے یہ وضاحت بھیجی ہے۔
میرا اب بھی حکومت پاکستان سے یہ مطالبہ ہے کہ وہ بین الاقوامی عدالت میں جنوبی افریقہ کا ساتھ دے،اور ترکیہ،انڈونیشیا اور پاکستان کے نیویز مشترکہ طور پر امدادی سامان پر مشتمل فلوٹیلا اقوام…— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan | سینیٹر مشتاق احمد خان (@SenatorMushtaq) January 8, 2024
The clarification specified that the deployment is unrelated to the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The Navy DGPR asserted, “We fully support the Palestinian cause in accordance with the government policy and we are not party to any conflict between Houthis and Israel.”
The statement further clarified that the purpose of the deployment of the warship in the Red Sea is to counter the threat posed by Somali pirates,
“Under the garb of the operations by Houthis against Israelis, Somali pirates have also started hijacking ships for ransom. Recently a ship carrying around 1000 containers which was to arrive at Port Qasim was hijacked by Somali pirates. This had adverse effects on our trade. I would again reiterate that Pakistan Navy is responsible for safety of Pakistan’s sea lines of communications, and this is the reason for our existence.”
The statement emphasized that the Pakistan Navy is not part of any U.S. coalition operating against Houthis and does not endorse the U.S. stance on the Palestinian issue.
“We are not part of any US coalition Operating against Houthis nor do we support US stance on the Palestinian issue” the statement by the Pakistan navy clarified.
The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, and the officers and men of the Pakistan Navy stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza against human rights violations committed by Israel.
This clarification aims to address concerns raised by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and reaffirm the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to its responsibilities while aligning with the government’s policy on the Palestinian cause.
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