ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) and Secretary General of the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, has strongly condemned the Houthi attack on a non-combatant commercial vessel in the Red Sea and expressed deep grief over the loss of Pakistani lives in the incident.
Ashrafi fully endorsed the condemnation issued by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, stressing that targeting innocent people and commercial vessels was unacceptable under any circumstances.
He expressed profound sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the attack, including three Pakistani nationals, and extended his condolences to their bereaved families.
The PUC chairman said attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab posed a serious threat to international peace, maritime security, freedom of navigation and global trade.
He called on the international community to take effective, robust and coordinated measures to prevent attacks on commercial shipping and ensure the safety of vital international maritime routes.
Ashrafi said the Pakistani nation stood in solidarity with the families of the Pakistani nationals who lost their lives in the incident.
He also appreciated the measures being taken by the Government of Pakistan to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies of the deceased Pakistani nationals and provide all possible assistance to the injured Pakistani citizen.
Ashrafi prayed that Allah Almighty grant forgiveness to those who lost their lives, give patience and strength to their bereaved families, and grant the injured Pakistani a speedy and complete recovery. –Agencies
