Pakistan has begun efforts to secure an alternative oil import route through Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea following Iran’s announcement that it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a move that threatens global energy supplies and regional fuel security.
The development came after Ali Pervaiz Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum, met Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki to discuss the rapidly changing Middle East security situation and its impact on Pakistan’s oil supply chain, according to the Petroleum Division.
During the meeting, Malik noted that most of Pakistan’s crude oil imports and energy shipments traditionally transit through the Strait of Hormuz. With the key maritime chokepoint now declared closed, the government is assessing emergency energy contingency plans to avoid supply disruptions.
The minister said Pakistan is monitoring developments daily and emphasized that cooperation from friendly countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, is essential to maintaining energy stability during the crisis.
Saudi officials assured Pakistan that oil shipments can be routed through Yanbu, providing an alternative passage that bypasses the Gulf chokepoint.
Malik confirmed that Saudi Arabia has already offered practical assistance, with one oil vessel assured for dispatch to Yanbu for lifting crude supplies. He expressed hope that Pakistan’s oil requirements would be given priority under the new arrangement.
Thanking the Kingdom for its continued support, Malik said Pakistan values Saudi Arabia’s role as a strategic partner, especially during periods of regional instability.
The Saudi ambassador reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment, describing Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as brotherly nations that stand by each other in difficult times.
The move follows a sharp escalation after a senior official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been shut and warned that any vessel attempting to pass through would be targeted in response to recent US-Israel military actions.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered the world’s most critical oil transit route, handling nearly 20 percent of global daily oil consumption. It connects major producers — including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the UAE — to international markets, narrowing to just 33 kilometres at its tightest point.
Energy experts warn that prolonged disruption could trigger sharp oil price increases, strain fuel-importing economies like Pakistan, and further destabilize the global energy market.
