Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Jane Marriott, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Pakistan, to discuss the evolving regional situation, its implications for global energy markets, and avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in Pakistan’s energy and minerals sectors.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the regional crisis and its impact on petroleum supply chains, price volatility, and overall energy security.
The High Commissioner appreciated Pakistan’s constructive diplomatic role and thanked for its mediation efforts aimed at easing tensions and promoting global peace, noting that Pakistan has effectively utilized its goodwill and relations with key stakeholders, including the United States and Iran.
She also discussed Pakistan’s petroleum supply situation and commended the Government’s efficient handling of the supply chain, observing that despite international uncertainty, Pakistan successfully ensured uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and avoided market distortions.
Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that Pakistan remains committed to supporting peace and stability through dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He emphasized that the Government is actively working to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Speaking on domestic energy management, the Minister noted that Pakistan had taken timely measures to maintain supply continuity. “We do not want to repeat the path of populism, as witnessed in 2022, which can undo hard earned economic achievements,” he said. He added that the Government prioritized keeping the supply chain intact, as a supply disruption would have been worse than any price shock.
The Minister expressed gratitude to friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman for facilitating petroleum supplies during the period of uncertainty. Recalling Qatar’s support in the past, he noted that Qatar supplied LNG to Pakistan at around $10 when global prices were near $30, and also demonstrated cooperation by renegotiating contractual arrangements.
Highlighting the role of Pakistan’s domestic exploration and production sector, the Minister praised local E&P companies for stepping up during the challenging period. He noted that fertilizer prices in Pakistan are one third of that in neighboring countries. He further shared that the Government continues to protect vulnerable segments of society through targeted subsidies.
The UK High Commissioner underscored the importance of long term cooperation between the two countries in the energy domain and highlighted the technical collaboration between the British Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
The Minister acknowledged the UK’s continued support for Pakistan and discussed prospects for collaboration in regulatory and institutional strengthening, including capacity building of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). The British side expressed keen interest in supporting such initiatives.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral engagement through technical cooperation, institutional partnerships aimed at promoting energy security, investment facilitation, and sustainable development in Pakistan’s energy and mineral sectors.
