ISLAMABAD: Kuwait’s state‑owned oil company, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, has assured that it would facilitate Pakistani‑flagged vessels with diesel and jet fuel supplies, Pakistan’s petroleum ministry said on Monday, amid widespread energy and cargo disruptions due to the United States‑Israeli war on Iran.
The move follows Pakistan’s announcement of a Jet A‑1 fuel supply disruption on Mar. 26 after which it urged foreign airlines to carry return fuel and limit refueling as a precaution due to concerns about jet fuel availability.
Iran’s chokehold of the Strait of Hormuz in response to US-Israeli attacks has upended tanker traffic along the route that once carried around 20 percent of global oil, driving up global energy prices.
On Monday, Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Parvez Malik met with Kuwaiti Ambassador Nasser Abdulrahman Jasim Al-Mutairi to discuss the Gulf country’s facilitation of Pakistani-flagged ships.
“Kuwait Petroleum Corporation has assured of fully facilitating possible supply of diesel and jet fuel to Pakistani flagged ships from Kuwait,” the Pakistani petroleum ministry said in a statement.
“We are grateful to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for this facility.”
On the occasion, Ambassador Al-Mutairi said his country would continue to support Pakistan, according to the statement. Petroleum Minister Malik appreciated Kuwait’s support to Pakistan despite global and regional challenges.
Over the weekend, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also announced that Iran had allowed 20 more ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz waterway. Pakistan has finalized arrangements to import petrol for April as it continues to conserve fuel stocks amid global supply disruptions, its finance minister said on Sunday.
Islamabad this month also raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per liter, reflecting concerns that a prolonged Middle East conflict could trigger fuel shortages or push global oil prices higher, affecting Pakistan’s balance of payments.
’STABLE’ SUPPLY OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Separately, the Cabinet Committee to Monitor Petrol Prices met on Monday under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to review petroleum stocks and developments in the energy sector, the finance ministry said.
“It was noted that the current supply position remains stable, with diesel stocks providing approximately 23–24 days of cover, while petrol availability continues to remain comfortable,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The Committee was informed that crude oil stocks currently provide around 11 days of cover, with additional cargoes in transit and committed volumes expected to sustain refinery operations and product availability through April.”
Officials of the Petroleum Division briefed the committee that import plans for April are being actively managed, with significant volumes already secured through commercial and government-to-government engagements.
“Refinery operations are being maintained at optimal levels, with efforts underway to maximize throughput and ensure conversion of crude into refined products to support domestic demand,” they were quoted as saying.
