Islamabad: Pakistan has strongly condemned drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, reaffirming its support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan strongly condemned the attacks and the targeting of civilian infrastructure, describing them as a violation of international law and Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ministry said the attacks also posed a threat to regional peace, security and stability. It reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s leadership, government and people and reiterated its solidarity with the Kingdom.
Pakistan also said it had been and would continue to make efforts towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said on Friday that several drones targeted the East-West Pipeline on Thursday morning in the Riyadh and Medina regions. Authorities halted operations as a precautionary measure following the attacks.
According to an official source cited by the Saudi Press Agency, emergency and technical teams began securing the pipeline and inspecting its safety. The Saudi authorities said further developments would be announced as they became available.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the drones had been launched from Iraq and that the attacks caused injuries and material damage. It did not provide details on the number of casualties, the extent of damage to the pipeline or its pumping stations, or how long the shutdown would continue.
The East-West Pipeline, also known as Petroline, is operated by Saudi Aramco and stretches about 1,200 kilometres from Abqaiq in the Eastern Province to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.
The pipeline carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s main oil-producing and processing areas in the east to refineries, storage facilities and export terminals on the western coast. Its route allows the Kingdom to transport oil to the Red Sea without using the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan has previously condemned attacks on Saudi territory and energy facilities. The Foreign Office had also supported Riyadh’s right under international law to take necessary measures to defend its territory, population and national assets.
The latest statement reiterates Islamabad’s position in support of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security while calling for peace and stability in the region.
