Saudi Arabia has assured full support for Pakistan’s request to use the Red Sea port of Yanbu as an alternative oil supply route amid regional tensions.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, during which Saudi authorities guaranteed the security of crude supplies routed through Yanbu.
Assurances on crude shipments
According to Malik:
- Saudi Arabia has assured secure handling of oil shipments from Yanbu
- A vessel will be dispatched from Pakistan to lift crude oil from the port
- Pakistan hopes to receive priority in shipments under current circumstances
Malik thanked the Saudi leadership for its support during what he described as a critical time for Pakistan’s energy security.
Why Yanbu matters
Yanbu, located on the Red Sea coast, offers an alternative to routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint through which the majority of Pakistan’s petroleum imports currently transit.
With heightened instability in the Gulf, diversifying supply routes has become a strategic priority for Islamabad to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability.
Continued bilateral cooperation
Ambassador Al-Maliki reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia would continue full cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in emergency situations.
Malik emphasized that support from “brotherly countries” such as Saudi Arabia is especially important as Pakistan works to safeguard its energy supply chain during ongoing regional uncertainty.
