PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari obtained the crucial oil facility of 110,000 barrels a day on a two-year credit line following his meetings with top Saudi leaders, the Business Recorder quoted sources in the petroleum ministry as saying.
Zardari was able to restore the Saudi special oil facility (SOF) that Pakistan had enjoyed during the tenure of former premier Nawaz Sharif's government after it conducted nuclear tests in 1998, the sources said.
The facility was extended after the world community slapped sanctions on Pakistan in response to the nuclear tests. Several Saudi companies have also agreed to invest billions of dollars in Pakistan's infrastructure, provided the government works effectively to restore political stability and improve law and order.
Sources said Saudi Arabia has earlier provided 80,000 barrels a day against deferred payments or SOF soon after the imposition of sanctions on Pakistan in 1998.
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It was in 2003 that then Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali demanded that the Saudi government either enhance the SOF or increase the number of Hajis from Pakistan by 50,000.
The Saudi government allowed Pakistan an increase in the number of Hajis and withdrew the SOF.
Saudi Arabia and UAE are currently providing Pakistan crude oil against payments deferred for 30 days, sources said. Pakistan imports 82 per cent of its annual requirement of oil