Pakistan has set up a high-level committee to develop strategic petroleum reserves as part of efforts to strengthen energy security and reduce the country’s exposure to global oil price shocks and supply disruptions.

According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum Division, the committee has been asked to submit its recommendations and implementation roadmap by May 8, 2026.

The newly formed Committee on Strategic Petroleum Reserves includes senior representatives from the government, security institutions, regulators, state-owned energy firms and the private sector. It has been tasked with preparing a national framework for emergency oil storage and fuel management.

The committee will be headed by the special secretary of the Petroleum Division and includes representatives from the National Crisis Management Cell, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, Joint Staff Headquarters, Directorate General Logistics, Pakistan State Oil, Inter-State Gas Systems and the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. Private sector stakeholders, including HUBCO, as well as refinery and storage operators, may also be included.

Under its mandate, the committee will prepare recommendations on how to operationalize strategic petroleum reserves, improve the use of existing storage infrastructure and map oil storage facilities across the country.

It will also examine financing options and investment requirements for expanding strategic reserves to meet Pakistan’s long-term energy security needs.

Officials said the work would draw on earlier technical studies that highlighted gaps in Pakistan’s fuel storage capacity and stressed the need for a structured emergency reserve system.

The move comes as Pakistan seeks to build greater protection against volatility in international energy markets and potential supply disruptions caused by geopolitical risks.