Pakistan pushes diversified crude sources, resilient energy infrastructure

October 12, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan has weathered the unprecedented global energy supply shock of 2026 without rationing major energy sources, despite its heavy dependence on imports, and is now working to strengthen its long-term energy security,

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik made these remarks at a plenary session titled Investment and Trade in Sustainable Energy Solutions: Making Energy Clean, Accessible and Affordable at the 17th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting, while attending at the invitation of Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the personal instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, APP reported.

He said the shock hit not only oil and gas but also shipping and insurance, and that Pakistan was helped through it by the government’s response and cooperation from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

The country is building strategic reserves, a world-class bonded reserves scheme, higher domestic energy production, refineries and tank farms, competitive electricity and gas markets, and targeted relief mechanisms.

To diversify crude supply and keep alternatives open if key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait are disrupted, Pakistan has encouraged its refineries to explore imports of Libyan crude.

He said the global energy sector is entering a new investment cycle in which energy security, affordability and sustainability must advance together, with investment needed in renewables, hydrocarbons, critical minerals, grids and pipelines, and that investment and trade frameworks must balance innovation and sustainability with affordability, equity and access.

He said Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in this moment of trial, condemned the Houthi militia attacks on Saudi soil and offered condolences over the lives lost, while thanking the Prince for personally steering cooperation with Pakistan.

On the sidelines, he met Libyan Minister of Oil and Gas Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, who called Pakistan an important country for Libya, said he would urge Libya’s national oil company to allocate larger crude volumes to Pakistani firms, and showed interest in learning from Pakistan’s refinery upgrade experience as Libya plans to upgrade its own.

He also held a breakfast meeting with Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi to explore cooperation in the LNG sector, while Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar called on him and said he looks forward to visiting Pakistan next month to receive the TPAO seismic vessel for data acquisition in the Indus Basin.

Ali Pervaiz Malik further met ministers and heads of energy companies from around the world.

Copyright Mettis Link News