Pakistan to get $3 billion in aid in next few days: Saudi envoy

Al-Maliki says Saudi companies are keen to invest around 6 to 8 billion dollars for establishing an oil refinery


APP November 14, 2018
Al-Maliki says Saudi companies are keen to invest around 6 to 8 billion dollars for establishing an oil refinery. PHOTO: DNA/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf Saeed Al-Malki said on Wednesday the first installment of financial aid amounting to $3 billion will be released in the next few days.

The Arab kingdom will release the amount of three billion dollars in terms of balance of payment, he stated in a short interview with a private news channel.

The ambassador said the Saudi government will also provide oil facility to Pakistan worth $3 billion annually, on deferred payment. He revealed that the Saudi companies are keen to invest a huge amount of around six to eight billion dollars for establishing an oil refinery in the country.

Replying to a question, he said besides this, the KSA is also interested investing in the power sector, adding that, "We are also seeking to set up a petrochemical industry near Karachi."

Pakistan won't become part of foreign war in return for Saudi package: Qureshi

Similarly, he hoped that an investment would also be made in Reko Diq project.

The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has been defending getting a $6 billion rescue package to shore up the crippling economy, saying the country had not made any promises in return for Saudi financial aid.

“We have not made any promises in return for the aid that we need to hide,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said while speaking in the Senate earlier this month. “The package has not been given based on any conditions.”

Qureshi told senators that Pakistan will not become part of any proxy war. He also said Saudi Arabia and Iran both have faith in Pakistan’s role of a mediator, adding the Irani foreign minister had approached PM Imran for mediation on Yemen war.

COMMENTS (1)

Ts | 5 years ago | Reply Pakistan should stay away from yemen war
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ