Kuwait agrees to explore strategic petroleum storage opportunities in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Kuwait has agreed to explore potential cooperation on strategic storage facilities in Pakistan’s petroleum sector during talks between Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Kuwait’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi, according to a statement issued by the Petroleum Division.

The statement said the two sides reviewed prospects for broader cooperation in the petroleum and energy sectors, with particular focus on refining. Both countries agreed to examine new opportunities related to building strategic storages in Pakistan that could benefit both sides.

The meeting also covered regional developments and energy cooperation, the statement said. Pakistan and Kuwait agreed to further deepen bilateral ties and widen collaboration in areas of shared interest.

Fuel supplies and Strait of Hormuz disruption

During the meeting, Malik thanked the Kuwaiti government for what the statement described as its timely support in ensuring the safe dispatch of vessel Khairpur, which arrived in Pakistan carrying diesel supplies during a difficult period.

According to the statement, the vessel brought around 45,000 tonnes of diesel and 10,000 tonnes of jet fuel from Kuwait to Pakistan under special approvals after disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The minister said that through the coordinated efforts of both governments, the Khairpur vessel completed its voyage safely and reached Pakistan. This, the statement quoted him as saying, would help maintain fuel availability and support the country’s energy requirements.

The Strait of Hormuz had served as the route for one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply before US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February triggered a conflict that has expanded into a broader regional crisis. Disruption to traffic through the strait has led to a global fuel crunch affecting countries worldwide, including Pakistan.

Pakistan’s peace efforts

According to the Petroleum Division, Malik told the Kuwaiti envoy that Pakistan remained committed to peace and stability. The statement added that he said the effects of the ongoing conflict were being felt not only across the region but beyond it as well.

Ambassador Almutairi, the statement said, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stated that Kuwait encourages its brothers in Pakistan to continue their constructive role for peace in the region.

The statement further quoted the ambassador as saying that Pakistan had demonstrated its responsible stance and that its standing had elevated in the eyes of the international community.

Existing energy ties

Pakistan imports more than 60 per cent of its diesel from Kuwait under a long-term arrangement between Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and Pakistan State Oil, both state-owned energy companies.

In April, Kuwait extended an oil credit facility to Pakistan for another two years. Earlier, in March, Kuwait had assured Pakistan of full facilitation in the supply of diesel and jet fuel after supplies were affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.