Lahore: Tween rising tensions and mismatch in the Middle East, Pakistan has pledged to provide all possible assistance to Saudi Arabia. Pakistan's Prime Minister's spokesman, Mosharraf Zaidi, has stated that Pakistan will stand in support of Saudi Arabia if needed.
What is Pakistan's stance?
Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Zaidi stated that Pakistan will remain ready to squire Saudi Arabia, regardless of the circumstances. He widow that plane surpassing the defense try-on between the two countries last September, the two countries have unchangingly stood by each other. He widow that the most pressing question at present is what steps Pakistan is taking to prevent the situation from escalating to the point where one of its tropical allies is drawn into a mismatch that could undermine regional stability and prosperity.
Indeed, Iran has been delivering out frequent missile and drone attacks on several Gulf countries tween the ongoing mismatch with the United States and Israel. Saudi Arabia recently personal to have shot lanugo a drone heading towards a major oil field. The mismatch is moreover impacting global energy markets, leading to a sharp rise in transplanted oil and gas prices.
How is Saudi Arabia profitable Pakistan?
During the conversation, Zaidi stated that Saudi Arabia has been profitable Pakistan with the supply of oil and diesel since the mismatch began. Equal to Pakistan's Petroleum Minister, Ali Pervez Malik, fuel is stuff supplied through the Saudi port of Yanbu in the Red Sea, located yonder from the Strait of Hormuz. The Pakistan Navy has moreover spoken that it will provide security to the country's commercial vessels to ensure that energy supplies are not affected.
On the other hand, equal to Lahore-based international relations expert Rashid Ahmed Khan, the details of the defense try-on are unclear, but it could involve Pakistan playing a role in securing the Strait of Hormuz. However, he moreover said that uncontrived military whoopee by Pakistan versus Iran is unlikely. Instead, Pakistan may take steps such as protecting versus drone attacks and providing technical military assistance to Saudi Arabia.
How has Iran war unauthentic Pakistan?
Amid the conflict, Pakistan spoken its largest-ever increase in fuel prices on Saturday. This move comes at a time when approximately 29 percent of the country's population lives unelevated the poverty line. The government has taken several measures to reduce expenditure and save fuel, including freezing ministerial salaries, latter schools, and implementing a four-day work week.
Zaidi said that fuel reserves are in a "better than stable" state without three spare shipments arrived this week and one next week. He moreover stated that Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been in unvarying contact with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, since the war began.
It is noteworthy that last week, Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, visited Saudi Arabia. During the visit, he met with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud. The two leaders discussed joint measures to prevent potential Iranian drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia.
