Saudi Arabia in Discussions on Gwadar Oil Refinery in Pakistan

The minister told journalists that the two sides had agreed to set up an oil refinery at Gwadar and a summary would be moved to the federal cabinet on Thursday (today) for approval to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU). He said the Saudi minister for energy was expected to visit Islamabad later this month for the signing of the MoU. He said the visiting Saudi delegation was offered to participate in the $2bn North-South Gas Pipeline and bid for the upcoming 10 petroleum exploration blocks to be offered for auction soon.

He also requested Saudi Arabia “to enhance crude supplies to Pakistan”.

The planning minister and the ambassador also finalized plans for the creation of a new joint working group on social sector and the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing to attend an industry conference with a business delegation. The two sides viewed it as an opportunity to reduce the China-Pakistan trade gap.