RIYADH (Kashmir English): Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed Ambassador to Pakistan, Rajeh bin Thamer Al-Baqami, has announced the introduction of same-day visa processing for Pakistani citizens at the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad.
The initiative aims to facilitate Pakistani travellers and strengthen business, cultural and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
The announcement came during a meeting between the Saudi ambassador and Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, where both sides discussed opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in the minerals, petroleum and energy sectors.
Ali Pervaiz Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding relations with Saudi Arabia, saying Islamabad attaches great importance to its historic ties with Riyadh.
The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s new tax-neutral bonded policy, which has been approved in line with international energy hubs such as Fujairah and Singapore.
Under the policy, Saudi companies will be able to establish oil storage facilities in Pakistan for commercial purposes without incurring local tax liabilities.
He said Pakistan’s storage infrastructure could provide Saudi Arabia with an alternative route for managing oil shipments, reducing risks associated with key maritime passages, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, while improving access to Asian markets.
The meeting also covered a proposed large-scale petroleum storage and refining complex in Hub, Balochistan, which is planned under the guidance of Technip Energies UK.
According to the petroleum minister, the project could accommodate very large crude oil carriers and help position Pakistan as a regional energy transit hub with improved connectivity to Central Asian and Chinese markets.
Both sides also discussed investment opportunities under Pakistan’s refinery upgrade programme, which aims to modernise existing refineries, improve efficiency and facilitate the production of Euro-5 standard fuels.
The minister appreciated Saudi Arabia’s support for Pakistan during recent international energy market challenges, particularly its decision to prioritise Pakistani crude oil shipments through Yanbu port.
Discussions were also held on purchasing additional crude oil through Saudi Aramco and arranging dedicated LPG shipments.
Ali Pervaiz Malik invited Saudi Deputy Minister for Minerals Khalid Al-Mudaifer to attend the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, scheduled to take place in Islamabad on November 12 and 13.
The forum is expected to provide further opportunities for Saudi investment and cooperation in Pakistan’s minerals sector.
The Saudi ambassador reaffirmed Riyadh’s strong commitment to bilateral relations, saying Saudi Arabia highly valued Pakistan’s longstanding support and that the two countries had stood by each other during difficult times.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in energy, petroleum, minerals and investment, reaffirming their strategic partnership as an important pillar of regional peace, stability and economic development.
