Pakistan is exploring options to transport critical cargoes under its own flag after Iran approved 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on social media that Iran granted permission for 20 ships “under the Pakistani flag” to pass the strategic waterway.
Currently, Pakistan does not operate enough vessels in the Persian Gulf to meet this quota. The government is therefore considering chartering other ships and potentially re-flagging them to ensure safe passage of essential supplies. These include crude oil, fertilizers, and other strategic cargo.
No final decision on chartering other ships has been announced. Authorities are reviewing options to maintain uninterrupted deliveries while complying with Iran’s offer.
Last month, DPM Dar posted on X that Iran had agreed to allow “20 more ships under the Pakistani flag” through the Strait. He described the gesture as constructive, promoting regional peace and stability.
“Dialogue, diplomacy, and confidence-building measures are the only way forward,” Dar added, highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful cooperation in the region.
In parallel, Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, met with Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi, Ambassador of Kuwait to Pakistan, to discuss bilateral energy cooperation. Malik expressed gratitude to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) for facilitating Pakistani-flagged vessels for diesel and jet fuel shipments.
He acknowledged Kuwait’s continued support for Pakistan’s energy security despite regional and global challenges. The minister requested the ambassador to convey his regards to Kuwait’s Minister of Oil, H.E. Tariq Suleiman Ahmed Al-Roumi, and KPC CEO Sheikh Nawaf Al Sabah.
Analysts say that chartering other ships under Pakistan’s flag will strengthen the country’s energy security and reduce reliance on foreign intermediaries. Officials emphasize that these measures are part of broader efforts to ensure stable supply lines in the Gulf.
In other news read more about: Iran Clarifies Strait of Hormuz Status, Says Ships And Tankers Refuse Passage
