Key Points
- One vessel assured for dispatch to Yanbu
- Riyadh commits to meeting emergency energy needs
- Majority of Pakistan’s oil imports transit through Hormuz
- Government monitoring markets on daily basis
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia will facilitate the redirection of Pakistan’s crude oil supplies through its Red Sea port of Yanbu following the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, according to an official press release issued by the Government of Pakistan on Wednesday.
The assurance was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, in Islamabad.
According to the press release, the minister apprised the ambassador of “the current situation and the implications of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on global energy markets,” noting that the majority of Pakistan’s energy supplies transit through the strategic waterway.
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, held a meeting with H.E. Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan.Pakistan had requested alternative supply route via Yanbu Port in Red Sea, Saudi Arabia Assured Full Support. pic.twitter.com/z7ZG35Cq8b
— Petroleum Division, Ministry of Energy (@Official_PetDiv) March 4, 2026
He stated that Pakistan is “closely monitoring the evolving situation daily” and emphasised that the government is actively endeavouring to ensure continuity of the energy supply chain.
“The support of brotherly countries like Saudi Arabia means a lot to Pakistan during challenging times,” the minister was quoted as saying.
Saudi authorities, the statement said, have assured security of supplies through the Port of Yanbu, offering an alternative corridor that bypasses the Gulf chokepoint.
Ali Pervaiz Malik informed that “one vessel has been assured dispatch from Pakistan to the Port of Yanbu to lift crude oil for Pakistan.” He hoped that oil supplies from Yanbu would be prioritised to meet the country’s requirements.
The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has unsettled global energy markets, as the narrow passage between the Gulf and the Arabian Sea handles a significant share of international oil trade.
Energy-importing economies in South Asia are particularly exposed to prolonged supply constraints.
In response, the ambassador reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment. The officials quoted him as saying that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is “fully aware of the evolving situation” and will “stand firmly with Pakistan to meet any emergency requirements.”
He added that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would continue to stand together in testing times.
Islamabad’s move to activate a Red Sea supply route reflects contingency planning aimed at safeguarding domestic fuel availability amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty in the Gulf region.
