Pakistan seeks oil supply from Saudi Arabia through Red Sea

2026-03-04 - 12:43

Pakistan has approached Saudi Arabia with a request to supply oil through an alternative route following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum Division stated on Wednesday. Pakistan’s energy security is under threat following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil supplies, amid Middle East tensions. The disruption poses a severe challenge for Pakistan, which imports around 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day, while domestic production stands at roughly 70,000 barrels. In the wake of recent developments, Pakistan had requested an alternative supply route via Yanbu Port in the Red Sea. “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 an alternative supply route via Yanbu Port in the Red Sea”, reads a post shared on X (former Twitter). 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 According to the Petroleum Division, Saudi Arabia has assured full support to resolve the pressing issue. The Minister thanked the Kingdom for its continued assistance and said Pakistan deeply valued Saudi Arabia’s cooperation during the ongoing crisis. The crisis began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was martyred in the initial strikes. In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on Israeli cities and US bases in the Gulf, hitting infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any vessel attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz would be targeted. By March 1, tanker traffic reportedly fell by 86 per cent, and by March 2, the strait was declared formally closed. By March 3, no tankers broadcasting identification signals were detected in the waterway.