Pakistan is stepping up efforts to protect its trade and energy supplies as the Iran war disrupts shipping through the Persian Gulf, driving up freight costs and putting pressure on key export routes.
The state-owned Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is considering acquiring or chartering three to five container feeder vessels, while Pakistan State Oil and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation are exploring a broader energy partnership.
The moves come as Pakistan’s top military commander arrived in Tehran on Monday for talks with Iranian officials amid Islamabad’s continuing diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan plans more ships for Persian Gulf trade
PNSC is considering acquiring or chartering three to five feeder vessels, with capacities ranging from 1,100 to 2,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.
The aim is to strengthen regional shipping links as disruption around the Strait of Hormuz drives up freight costs and threatens Pakistani exports to Persian Gulf markets.
PNSC currently operates five bulk carriers and eight tankers across three regional routes covering the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and South Asia.
Pakistan exported $1.944 billion worth of goods to the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries between January and July, up 2.1 per cent from a year earlier.
But exports fell 2.9 per cent in March, 10.6 per cent in April and 16.7 per cent in May, before recovering in June and July.
For Pakistani mango exporters, the disruption has been particularly costly. Shipping a 40-foot refrigerated container to Persian Gulf markets now costs $8,000 to $8,500, compared with $1,000 to $1,400 last year.
Mango exports to the Persian Gulf have fallen by about 50 per cent.
Pakistan and Kuwait explore wider energy ties
Pakistan is also seeking to deepen its energy ties with Kuwait.
Pakistan State Oil and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation are exploring cooperation in motor gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refining, storage, terminals, shipping and logistics.
The two companies have supplied Pakistan with gasoil and jet fuel without interruption since 1975. No new agreement has yet been reached, and the broader areas of cooperation remain under discussion.
Munir arrives in Tehran as diplomacy continues
Against this backdrop, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Tehran with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Pakistan’s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the visit is part of Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability, with Munir focusing on a “peaceful, lasting and comprehensive resolution” of the Middle East conflict.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the visit in broader terms, saying it is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Iran and Pakistan while continuing Islamabad’s efforts to support regional peace and security.
For Pakistan, the challenge is immediate: keeping trade and energy supplies moving while pursuing diplomatic efforts as the Iran conflict continues to threaten the Persian Gulf routes on which its economy depends.