Pakistan has expressed readiness to support Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media said.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said it was unquestionable that Pakistan would stand by Riyadh “no matter what and no matter when”.
His remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, with Tehran responding by targeting US bases across the Gulf region with missiles and drones.
Although Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed regret over attacks in regional countries, Tehran has maintained that it would target locations used to launch attacks against Iranian territory.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had signed a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement last year, under which an attack on either country would be considered an act of aggression against both.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming leadership in Iran after the martyrdom of his father Ali Khamenei.
Meanwhile, Asim Munir recently visited Saudi Arabia and met Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman, where both sides discussed regional security and Iranian attacks on the kingdom within the framework of the joint defence agreement.
Separately, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan was working diplomatically to persuade Iran to avoid targeting Saudi Arabia.
He said the military leadership had informed that they were in constant contact with Tehran to resolve misunderstandings and ensure Gulf countries were not drawn deeper into the conflict.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an effort to ease tensions in the region.
Zaidi noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historically supported each other during difficult times and continue to operate on the principle of mutual assistance.
He added that Saudi Arabia had made arrangements to support Pakistan’s supply of oil and diesel after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global fuel shipments.
Meanwhile, sources said Pakistan has begun importing crude oil through the Red Sea route to maintain fuel supplies.
A vessel of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation has reached Yanbu and is expected to depart for Karachi carrying around 73,000 tonnes of crude oil.
Another PNSC vessel, Shalamar, has also loaded oil from Fujairah and is currently heading towards Karachi, while several other ships remain affected due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.