Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Wednesday strongly condemned a Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea that killed three Pakistani nationals and injured another.

The Houthis’ attack targeted the Tanzania-flagged vessel Tihamah, killing four crew members, including three Pakistanis and one Indonesian, while also leaving others injured.

In a statement on X, Dar expressed deep concern over the incident, while confirming the deaths and injuries of Pakistani crew.

Dar said attacks on non-combatant commercial vessels posed a serious threat to innocent human lives, freedom of navigation and maritime security.

He condemned the Houthi attack in the strongest terms, saying targeting a commercial vessel was a violation of international law and posed a grave risk to the safety of shipping in the Red Sea.

The deputy prime minister expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the Pakistani nationals killed in the attack, saying the government shared their grief.

Dar said Islamabad was in contact with the relevant Saudi authorities and Yemen’s internationally recognised government to obtain further details about the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

He directed the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh to immediately coordinate with the relevant authorities and take all necessary measures to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased Pakistanis.

The embassy has also been instructed to ensure that the injured Pakistani national received all possible medical assistance and support.

Dar said the government was closely monitoring developments following the incident and would remain in constant contact with the relevant authorities.

He reiterated that attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea posed a serious threat to maritime safety and freedom of navigation and called for the protection of innocent lives and international shipping.