Pakistan eyes free oil from Saudi

Islamabad, Jan. 20: Pakistan is trying to get a special facility from Saudi Arabia which will ensure availability of oil “free” or at concessional rates, official sources said.

“We are trying to revive the Special Saudi Oil Facility (SOF) under which Pakistan was provided oil initially free of cost after the 1998 nuclear tests. The facility was later changed into credit,” a senior finance ministry official said.


“If they will not be ready to provide us free oil, we can ask them to offer us credit facility and low rates,” he told this newspaper.

Oil companies have warned the government of a serious diesel supply crisis in March-April because of their inability to order fresh shipments. Official sources said the companies