Pakistan has urged local refineries to consider importing crude oil from Libya as the country seeks to diversify its energy supplies amid disruptions in global markets.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik discussed stronger cooperation in the oil and gas sector with Libyan Oil and Gas Minister Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh on Monday.
Malik said expanding crude oil supply sources would improve Pakistan’s energy security and provide alternative options if shipping through key routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, faced disruptions.
Abdulsadek said he would encourage Libya’s national oil company to increase crude oil allocations for Pakistani buyers.
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The Libyan minister also discussed plans to modernize the country’s refineries and expressed interest in Pakistan’s experience with refinery upgrades.
Separately, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said he expected to visit Pakistan next month to receive a seismic vessel operated by Türkiye’s national oil company, TPAO.
The vessel is expected to begin collecting seismic data in the Indus Basin as Pakistan seeks to identify and develop domestic energy resources.
Malik also met Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi to discuss potential cooperation in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.
Speaking at the IEF meeting, Malik said the global energy supply shock in 2026 had affected shipping and insurance markets alongside oil and gas supplies.
He said Pakistan had avoided rationing major energy sources despite its dependence on imported energy, with assistance from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.
Malik said the government was pursuing a broader energy security strategy involving strategic reserves, higher domestic production, refinery upgrades, investment in storage infrastructure and improvements to energy markets.
He also called for international investment frameworks that balance energy security and environmental sustainability with affordable energy and wider access.
