ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has assured full support for Pakistan’s request to use the port of Yanbu as an alternative oil supply route.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, during which he said Saudi authorities had guaranteed the security of supplies routed through Yanbu, located on the Red Sea.
According to Malik, assurances were also given that a vessel would be dispatched from Pakistan to lift crude oil from Yanbu. He expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s support at a critical time and voiced hope that Pakistan would be given priority in oil shipments from the port.
The Saudi Arabia ambassador stated that full cooperation with Pakistan would continue in the event of any emergency and reaffirmed that both countries would stand by one another during challenging times.
The Government of Pakistan is making efforts to ensure continuity in the energy supply chain, as the majority of its petroleum imports currently pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Malik noted that support from brotherly countries such as Saudi Arabia is of particular importance under the present circumstances.
