Pakistan and Saudi Arabia review energy cooperation and refinery upgrade options
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
Talks between the petroleum minister and the Saudi envoy reaffirm support for Pakistan’s energy needs and long-term sector collaboration
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have held discussions on strengthening cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on energy security, petroleum supplies and potential refinery upgrade projects, according to a statement issued by the Petroleum Division on Thursday.
The meeting took place between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Saudi envoy Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, where both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored avenues for deeper long-term engagement in the petroleum sector.
According to the statement, discussions included options for refinery upgrade initiatives and broader investment opportunities aimed at enhancing bilateral energy cooperation.
Pakistan expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued support in meeting its petroleum requirements, particularly during periods of economic and energy sector stress. Malik said favorable supply terms extended by the Kingdom had helped address the country’s energy needs.
The Saudi envoy reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in overcoming energy security challenges and strengthening cooperation across the petroleum value chain.
Officials noted that recent technical-level engagements between the two countries have shown positive progress toward long-term cooperation frameworks, including potential joint investment and infrastructure development in the refinery sector.
Malik underscored Pakistan’s intent to further deepen its strategic energy partnership with Saudi Arabia, particularly in collaboration with Saudi Aramco, and acknowledged Riyadh’s longstanding role in supporting Pakistan’s energy requirements.
The Saudi envoy also appreciated Pakistan’s contributions toward regional stability and its efforts to maintain balance in a complex geopolitical environment.
Both sides agreed to continue advancing bilateral energy cooperation as part of broader economic and strategic engagement between the two countries.
Reference Link:- https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/05/07/pakistan-saudi-arabia-review-energy-cooperation-and-refinery-upgrade-options/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
