Pakistani Ambassador to Kuwait Dr Zafar Iqbal detailed how his country adapted to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by routing shipments through Saudi Arabia, ensuring goods continued reaching Kuwait without major interruption. Iqbal made the remarks on the sidelines of the Pakistan Fruit Week launch at Assima Mall in Kuwait City, where he addressed press queries about bilateral economic resilience. A Council on Foreign Relations assessment of conflict-driven chokepoint disruptions places the onset of the 2026 Hormuz crisis on February 28 after strikes on Iranian facilities, which rapidly curtailed tanker traffic by 70 percent according to shipping data cited in the report.
Iqbal disclosed that direct shipping services between Pakistan and Kuwait have since resumed normal operations after the initial reliance on overland alternatives via Saudi territory. He placed the value of two-way trade at more than 1.5 billion dollars this year, with over 1 billion dollars accounted for by Pakistani oil imports from Kuwait while non-oil Kuwaiti exports to Pakistan show substantial gains. International Energy Agency data from early 2026 indicates that countries including Pakistan sourced nearly two-thirds of their LNG imports through the strait in 2025, underscoring the scale of the rerouting challenge the ambassador described.
The ambassador affirmed that senior Pakistani officials, including the prime minister, deputy prime minister and field marshal, maintain regular communication with Kuwaiti leaders to coordinate responses to regional tensions. Iqbal voiced optimism over recent indications that American-Iranian negotiations could restart, noting statements by the US president that appeared to leave the door open for talks. A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development review published in March 2026 found that the strait normally carries around one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade, meaning closures transmit shocks to energy markets and supply chains across Asia.
Iqbal highlighted the maturity of defense cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait, which dates to the 1980s and includes ongoing military training programs along with exchanges of expertise and technical collaboration. He stressed that Pakistan stands ready to support Kuwait in times of difficulty, reflecting the breadth of the strategic partnership. The ambassador’s comments align with earlier Pakistani requests, documented in contemporary reporting, for Saudi Arabia to facilitate crude shipments through the Red Sea port of Yanbu to bypass the blocked strait.
The Pakistan Fruit Week event itself illustrates the breadth of non-energy commerce the two countries have preserved. Iqbal noted that the promotion features six or seven premium varieties of Pakistani mangoes, regarded as among the finest globally, and is dedicated exclusively to showcasing the country’s fruit exports. Such initiatives occur as both governments continue diplomatic pushes to prevent escalation, with the ambassador pointing to constant high-level contacts aimed at returning all parties to the negotiating table.
