ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed the US-Houthi ceasefire as a “diplomatic breakthrough” and called for the momentum to be used to advance an inclusive political process in Yemen, while also condemning attacks that threaten global maritime security.

The remarks by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, came during a UN Security Council briefing on Yemen, days after the United States announced a halt to airstrikes in the region.

US President Donald Trump declared an immediate ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthi rebels on May 6 after the group agreed to stop attacking American vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The agreement, brokered by Oman, aims to reduce tensions and safeguard vital international shipping lanes.

The Houthis have said their attacks were in response to US support for Israel and in solidarity with Palestinians, but the targeting of global shipping has drawn widespread condemnation.

“This opportunity must not be squandered or exploited. It should be used to advance an inclusive, intra-Yemeni political process,” said the top Pakistani diplomat at the UN.

He expressed alarm over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where, he said, more than 19.5 million people need assistance, including 17.1 million facing acute food insecurity and 12 million children lacking access to basic services.

Ahmad pointed out that what began as a domestic conflict in Yemen had evolved into a regional and international challenge with serious humanitarian, political, economic and environmental consequences.

He reiterated that only a “Yemeni-owned, Yemeni-led” process facilitated by the United Nations could provide a credible path to lasting peace. Pakistan, he said, fully supports such an initiative.

Welcoming mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman, the ambassador urged all parties to honor the December 2023 Roadmap, a UN-facilitated plan calling for a nationwide ceasefire, resumption of oil exports and the launch of an inclusive political process, while showing maximum restraint and prioritize diplomatic engagement.

He also condemned attacks on global shipping while urging the international community to remain engaged in preventing further deterioration of the situation in Yemen.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Kuwaiti officials reviewed their countries’ cooperation in trade, investment, human resource collaboration and other economic spheres, the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Wednesday, as the two sides held their bilateral political consultations. 

Pakistan and Kuwait held the fourth round of their Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) in Kuwait on Wednesday. The Kuwaiti delegation was led by Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat, the Gulf country’s assistant foreign minister (Asia Affairs) while Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East) Shehryar Akbar Khan led the Pakistani side. 

“The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations including trade, investment, human resource collaboration, consular and people-to-people contacts with a view to further enhance bilateral cooperation,” the statement said on Wednesday. 

It added that the two delegations also exchanged views on regional and international issues, and reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and consultation.

“While expressing satisfaction over the upward trajectory in bilateral relations and the momentum of high-level interactions and exchanges, both sides agreed to further deepen engagement in diverse areas of mutual interest,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said. 
It said that the next round of the BPC between the two sides will take place in Islamabad on mutually agreed dates.
Since narrowly escaping a default in 2023, Pakistan has eyed increasing foreign trade and investment with regional allies, especially Gulf countries. 
Islamabad formed the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a hybrid civil-military government body, tasked with attracting international investment in key economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture, livestock, mines and minerals and others.