Pakistan Warns Hormuz Blockade Threatens Global Stability

Pakistan has warned at the United Nations Security Council that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is no longer only a regional maritime issue but a direct threat to global peace, economic stability and developing countries. The warning was delivered during a high-level debate on maritime security, where Islamabad urged diplomacy, dialogue and coordinated action to keep international sea routes open.

Speaking at the Security Council, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said disruptions in major waterways can quickly damage global trade and trigger wider economic volatility. He highlighted the Strait of Hormuz as a critical example of how conflict in one region can create consequences for countries far beyond the immediate crisis zone.

The Pakistani envoy said developing economies are especially vulnerable because they rely heavily on predictable access to oil, gas, fertilisers, food supplies and other essential imports. Any prolonged disruption, he warned, can increase energy costs, weaken supply chains, push inflation higher and place additional pressure on current accounts and balance of payments.

Ambassador Asim Iftikhar also underlined Pakistan’s own exposure to maritime instability, noting that the country sits close to important global chokepoints and depends heavily on sea-borne trade. He said Pakistan remains fully aware of the need to protect shipping routes, uphold freedom of navigation and preserve the legal order governing oceans and commercial movement.

During the debate, Pakistan called for renewed commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and urged the international community to treat maritime security as a shared responsibility. Islamabad stressed that global waterways must not become instruments of pressure during conflicts, especially when their closure can deepen economic hardship for poorer nations.

The statement comes as Pakistan continues to project itself as a supporter of regional de-escalation amid rising tensions linked to Iran, the United States and wider Middle East instability. Islamabad has repeatedly emphasized dialogue over confrontation and has worked with regional partners to encourage a diplomatic pathway out of the crisis.

According to Pakistan’s position, countries including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Egypt have backed efforts for de-escalation and stability. The Pakistani envoy referred to Islamabad’s broader role in encouraging peaceful engagement, arguing that diplomacy remains the only sustainable way to prevent maritime disruption from turning into a larger security emergency.

Pakistan also pointed to its participation in international maritime security operations. Earlier this year, Pakistan assumed command of Combined Task Force 150, which focuses on maritime security outside the Arabian Gulf, while it previously led Combined Task Force 151 against piracy to protect commercial shipping lanes.

The issue carries major implications for Pakistan’s economy because any increase in oil prices, shipping costs or supply delays can quickly affect fuel prices, food production, inflation and industrial activity. For a country already managing fiscal pressure and import dependency, an extended Hormuz crisis could make economic stabilisation more difficult.

The next phase will depend on whether diplomatic engagement can reopen maritime routes and reduce military tensions around the Gulf. Pakistan is expected to continue raising the issue at multilateral forums while pushing for dialogue, regional cooperation and protection of global sea lanes as essential pillars of economic and security stability.