THE war in the Gulf rages on since the US-Israeli strike on Iran, creating chaos and mayhem.

Beyond the destruction of Iranian cities, the threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the devastation inflicted on Iranian naval and cargo vessels have thrust fresh challenges upon Pakistan’s maritime frontier. For a nation whose economic lifelines run through the Arabian Sea, the crisis is not distant—it is existential. Under Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the Pakistan Navy (PN) is pursuing modernization and indigenization, while preparing to meet India’s adventurism with asymmetric resolve.

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical energy artery, with nearly one-fifth of global oil passing through its narrow waters. Any closure—whether partial or prolonged—would spike energy prices and reroute maritime traffic, creating insecurity across the Arabian Sea. For Pakistan—whose Gwadar port anchors the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the broader “Blue Economy”—instability at Hormuz threatens both economic aspirations and strategic depth. Alfred Thayer Mahan, the great naval strategist, observed: “Whoever controls the sea has command of everything.” For Pakistan, maritime security is not peripheral but foundational.

The escalation has already taken a heavy toll. At least three commercial tankers have been damaged in the Gulf, with one seafarer killed. Over 200 vessels have dropped anchor around Hormuz to avoid risk, while major shipping lines reroute vessels around Africa. Insurance premiums have surged, underscoring the........

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