Pak gives nod to Saudi Arabia for establishing oil refinery in port city of Gwadar

Agencies

October 5, 2018

Islamabad, Oct 5: Pakistan's federal cabinet on Thursday gave its approval to Saudi Arabiafor establishing an oil refinery in the port city of Gwadar.

"The cabinet has approved the draft of memorandum of understanding (MoU) Pakistan and Saudi Arabiaexpected to sign soon for the establishment of refinery," The Express Tribune quoted Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan as saying while addressing a presser.

"China has no reservations over Saudi investment in Pakistan," Khan added.

This marks the first major investment made in Pakistan by Saudi during the tenure of the PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf government.

The Petroleum Minister said that a Saudi delegation, headed by the Advisor on Energy Ahmad Hamed Al-Ghamdi, had recently agreed to sign a government to government contract for the refinery in Gwadarfollowing an inspection of the proposed site.

The city was found to be viable in every aspect by the delegation, who relayed their eagerness to immediately invest in the country's refinery sector, Khan added.

"The Saudi energy minister is expected to arrive in Pakistan by the end of this month or the beginning of November to formally sign the contract," the Petroleum Minister said, adding that the Saudi has also showed interest in investing in other projects, including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

"Currently, Pakistan needs three to four more oil refineries and we will welcome Saudis, Chinese, UAE, Russian or any other country to invest in the establishment of refineries. Pakistan will provide better investment environment to investors," Khan said.

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US attempted 93 ‘regime change’ operations across the world since 1946, admits envoy

News Network

December 7,2025

Since 1946, the United States has attempted 93 coups or “regime change” operations across the world — including two in Iran, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack has admitted.

Speaking to the UAE-based IMI Media Group, in remarks published by The National, Barrack said Washington tried twice to overthrow the Iranian government but failed both times.

“For (Trump) then to be imputed with regime change — we had two regime changes in Iran already. Neither one worked. So I think wisely leave it to the region to solve,” said Barrack, who also serves as the US ambassador to Turkey.

His comments come six months after the US joined Israel in airstrikes against Iran during ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

On June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran that killed at least 1,064 people and hit civilian infrastructure. Days later, the United States targeted three nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan — in what Iran called a clear violation of international law. Iranian retaliation eventually forced a halt to the assault on June 24.

Barrack further claimed that US President Donald Trump and Foreign Secretary Marco Rubio are “not into regime change” and prefer a regional approach driven by Middle Eastern countries themselves. According to him, regional dialogue and non-interference by outside powers offer a more durable path forward.

He added that Washington is still open to an agreement with Tehran if Iranian authorities show “seriousness” and willingness to engage constructively.

However, Iran maintains the US has not shown readiness for meaningful talks. In an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations could advance only if Washington acknowledges Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and lifts unilateral sanctions.

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