Pakistan has warned that any attack on an empty oil tanker stranded in the Red Sea near Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline would be treated as an “act of war”.
Media reported Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik as saying that the tanker would have to be moved, although Saudi authorities had asked Pakistan to keep it on standby.
The East-West Pipeline, a key alternative route for Saudi oil exports amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, was shut down last week following Houthi attacks and could remain closed for up to six weeks.
Malik said Pakistan was considering several options, including keeping the tanker at the pipeline, returning it through Oman or the UAE, or sourcing crude from Libya.
He warned that prolonged disruption to crude supplies could lead to a diesel shortage, with Pakistan holding stocks for only the current and following month.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia and condemned a drone attack targeting Makkah.
Pakistan has previously said an attack on Saudi Arabia could activate the trilateral defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye last month.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt Call for Safe Navigation in Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb
