Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has delivered a strong policy statement at an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Yemen, unequivocally condemning recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and reaffirming Islamabad’s unwavering support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inherent right to self-defense.
Addressing the Council, Asim Iftikhar warned that the crisis in Yemen has entered a perilous phase, with recent escalations threatening to undo the relative calm maintained since 2022 and raising the alarming prospect of renewed widespread conflict. He stressed that targeting civilian and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia not only jeopardizes regional peace and stability but also inflicts severe consequences on the global economy and energy security.
Expressing deep solidarity with the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia, the Pakistani envoy also highlighted growing alarm over intensified Houthi activities near the Bab el-Mandeb strait. He cautioned that hostile actions disrupting commercial shipping pose a direct threat to free maritime navigation and global trade, warning that weaponizing critical sea lanes carries far-reaching repercussions for international commerce and energy supplies.
Furthermore, the escalation has triggered the internal displacement of over 100,000 people, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen. Emphasizing that military measures alone cannot resolve the crisis, Pakistan called for an immediate acceleration of diplomatic efforts and voiced full support for a UN-facilitated, inclusive, and Yemeni-led political process aimed at achieving a lasting negotiated settlement and sustainable regional stability.
