Riyadh Assures Secure Alternative Route via Red Sea
ISLAMABAD — Saudi Arabia has assured full support for Pakistan’s request to use the Red Sea port of Yanbu as an alternative route for oil supplies, officials said on Wednesday.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki in Islamabad to discuss energy cooperation amid rising regional tensions. During the meeting, Malik said Saudi authorities guaranteed the security of oil shipments routed through Yanbu, which lies along the Red Sea coast.
Moreover, Saudi officials confirmed that a vessel from Pakistan would soon lift crude oil from Yanbu. Malik expressed gratitude for Riyadh’s timely support and emphasized the importance of ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies. He also voiced hope that Pakistan would receive priority in shipments from the port during the ongoing crisis.
Energy Security Efforts Intensify Amid Regional Tensions
Meanwhile, the Saudi ambassador reaffirmed that the kingdom would continue full cooperation with Pakistan in case of any emergency. He stressed that both nations would stand by each other during challenging times, reflecting their longstanding strategic partnership.
The development comes as Pakistan works to safeguard its energy supply chain. Currently, most of the country’s petroleum imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint increasingly vulnerable to disruption due to escalating regional conflict.
Consequently, Islamabad has accelerated efforts to diversify supply routes and reduce exposure to potential blockades or security threats. Officials view access to Yanbu as a strategic alternative that could help stabilize fuel availability in the domestic market.
Malik underscored that support from longstanding partners such as Saudi Arabia remains crucial under the present circumstances.
