–Petroleum minister confirms Pakistan’s plan to take oil from Saudi Arabia on credit for five years
–Info minister says Saudi Arabia has shown keen interest in investing in energy, petroleum sectors
ISLAMABAD: A six-member Saudi delegation on Tuesday visited Gwadar, where it was briefed on different developmental activities and projects being executed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), officials said.
Led by Ahmad Hameed Al-Ghamdi, adviser of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, the delegation visited different departments of the port and its free zone.
During their visits, the Saudi team was given a briefing on CPEC projects linked to Gwadar port and projects being implemented by the Gwadar Development Authority.
They were also apprised of the facilities and security arrangements extended to investors by the Government of Pakistan, officials at the port told a private media outlet.
The Saudi team showed interest in investing in Gwadar and expressed satisfaction over the facilities and security situation in the area. During the visit, Al-Ghamdi was quoted as saying that there were historical, religious and brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
“Saudi Arabia stood with Pakistan in difficult times in the past and will do so in the future as well,” the Saudi official told his Pakistani counterparts.
He added that the Saudi government is keen on contributing to the development process in Pakistan.
‘PAKISTAN TO GET OIL FROM SAUDI ARABIA ON CREDIT’:
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan confirmed Pakistan’s plan to take oil from Saudi Arabia on credit for five years.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Sarwar said the authorities in Saudi Arabia had agreed to Pakistan’s request for oil.
The petroleum minister’s statement came following reports that said Pakistan had asked Saudi Arabia for a daily oil supply of 200,000 barrels for five years.
It was also reported that oil supply on credit was sought for 90 days; however, Sarwar told the lower house of the parliament that Pakistan had made the request for five years.
A day earlier, senators from the opposition parties had raised objections over the government’s invitation to Saudi Arabia to become a partner in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and set up an oil refinery in Gwadar.
To this, the petroleum minister said Saudi Arabia expressed interest in setting up a refinery in Balochistan and the Pakistani government wished the same.
“Talks are underway with the provinces and the parliament will soon be taken on board,” he added.
‘SAUDI ARABIA KEEN TO INVEST IN ENERGY SECTOR’:
Separately, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that Saudi Arabia had shown a keen interest in investing in the energy and petroleum sectors.
Speaking to a private media outlet, he said the government was reviewing existing good relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia in terms of economic prosperity for Pakistan.
Speaking about Reko Diq, he said the project was of immense importance to Pakistan and the government was working on how the country could benefit from the mega project.
He said the incumbent government wanted to cooperate with the coalition government in Balochistan for socio-economic development of the province.
