The Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to protect national shipping and maritime trade routes amid rising regional security concerns, the military’s media wing said on Monday.
Read More: PN launches operation to counter threats to shipping, maritime trade
According to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation aims to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and secure critical Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) used for Pakistan’s maritime trade.
In view of the evolving regional maritime security environment and potential disruptions to critical sea lanes, Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to counter multidimensional threats to national shipping and maritime trade. The initiative has been undertaken to… pic.twitter.com/sMsxk1L1Ww
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 9, 2026
The move comes as tensions in the Middle East intensify following conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, raising fears of disruptions to shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz — a key global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass.
Under the operation, naval vessels are escorting merchant ships carrying essential cargo through sensitive sea lanes. Officials said the escort missions are being carried out in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), which operates the country’s merchant fleet.
The navy said it is closely monitoring maritime activity and maintaining control over vessel movements to ensure safe and secure transit through potentially vulnerable areas.
Currently, Pakistan Navy ships are escorting two merchant vessels, one of which is expected to arrive in Karachi on Monday. Authorities noted that about 90 percent of Pakistan’s international trade is conducted through sea routes, making maritime security critical for the country’s economic stability and energy supply chain.
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The government has already taken emergency economic measures to mitigate the potential impact of global supply disruptions, including a significant increase in domestic fuel prices and directives aimed at reducing fuel consumption across various sectors.
The navy said it remains fully prepared to address emerging maritime security challenges and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national shipping interests and contributing to regional maritime stability.