https://arab.news/8mz43
- Pakistan UN representative says Strait of Hormuz disruption threatens energy, food supply chains
- Ambassador Ahmad highlights diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between US and Iran
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan this week used the United Nations platform to warn that prolonged disruption linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis could fuel inflation, weaken economic growth and worsen balance-of-payments pressures, particularly for developing countries dependent on imported energy and maritime trade.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, handles roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it one of the world’s most critical maritime choke points. Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel, has faced rising economic pressure in recent months as conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel disrupted regional shipping and pushed up oil prices.
Speaking during a UN Security Council debate on maritime security, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the fallout from instability around the strategic waterway was already affecting global trade and energy markets.
“If this crisis persists, the first order impacts, that is the issues related to the procurement of oil and gas and essential commodities such as the fertilizers and their pricing trends will increasingly translate into second and third order impacts on inflation, on growth, current account, and balance of payment issues,” Ahmad said.
“No doubt, developing countries will be the most affected.”
Pakistan is implementing economic reforms under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and has been attempting to stabilize inflation, strengthen foreign exchange reserves and improve external accounts after years of economic turmoil.
Ahmad said Pakistan, like many developing countries, was directly affected by disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, linking those risks to Islamabad’s recent diplomatic outreach aimed at reducing regional tensions.
“Like many developing countries from the region and beyond, Pakistan is concerned and is directly impacted by the closure of Strait of Hormuz,” Ahmad said.
“Pakistan, supported by our partners and brotherly countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, and others, has spearheaded constructive diplomatic efforts for de-escalation and broader pursuit of stability between the United States and Iran.”
Pakistan has in recent weeks positioned itself as a facilitator between the two sides following conflict and a fragile ceasefire that heightened fears of a broader regional war and disruptions to global energy flows.
Ahmad also warned that disruptions to maritime traffic carried serious implications for global commerce and international stability.
“Any disruptions to the routine traffic at sea gravely impact international trade with negative repercussions for global economy and breed volatility that imperils international peace and security,” he said.
The envoy stressed the importance of safeguarding international maritime law and maintaining open sea lanes, warning that continued instability could erode confidence in the global rules-based order.
He said Pakistan remained committed to international maritime security efforts, noting that the country had earlier this year assumed command of Combined Task Force 150, a multinational naval partnership focused on securing commercial shipping routes outside the Arabian Gulf.