ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is planning to increase crude oil imports from Russia as it seeks alternative energy sources amid disruptions and volatility in global supply routes, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Moscow Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said.
Speaking to Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, the ambassador said that demand for Russian energy has increased as Pakistan reassesses its reliance on Gulf supplies due to recent supply chain uncertainties.
“We produce about 10 percent of the energy resources we need ourselves, while the rest is imported mainly from Gulf countries. Therefore, a serious crisis has arisen, and that is why we began to look for alternatives,” he said.
Tirmizi noted that Pakistan is actively exploring diversified energy supply options, including potential pipeline projects from Turkmenistan and Russia to South Asia in the long term.
He added that the evolving situation in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy chokepoint through which a significant portion of global oil and LNG passes — has served as a warning signal for energy-importing countries like Pakistan.
The ambassador further said Islamabad is considering broader regional connectivity initiatives involving energy pipelines, transport links, and academic and humanitarian cooperation to strengthen ties across the Eurasian region.
Amid concerns over supply disruptions, fuel prices in Pakistan recently saw an increase of nearly Rs15 per litre, with petrol rising from Rs399.86 to Rs414.78 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) increasing from Rs399.58 to Rs414.58 per litre.
Officials say the government’s shift toward alternative suppliers is aimed at ensuring energy security and reducing vulnerability to geopolitical shocks in key shipping routes.
