Islamabad, March 5, 2026: The government on Thursday dismissed as fake a social media notification claiming a temporary suspension of all port entries in Pakistan until March 10 due to security concerns.
In an official statement posted on its X account, the Minister of Information’s fact-checking team clarified that no such notification had been issued by either the Cabinet Division or the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, terming the circulated document fabricated.
The clarification comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, following US-Israel actions on Iran and Iran’s announcement to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic oil export corridors. The Strait links major Gulf producers — Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the UAE — to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About one-fifth of global daily oil consumption passes through this narrow waterway, which narrows to 33 kilometers at its tightest point.
Amid the crisis, Pakistan has proactively sought alternative oil supply routes. On Wednesday, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik requested support from the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, to explore shipments through Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port of Yanbu, according to a statement from the Petroleum Division.
Authorities emphasized that port operations in Pakistan remain fully functional and secure, assuring the public and businesses that all supply chains and maritime logistics are operating normally.