ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy and petroleum sectors, marking a new phase in bilateral economic engagement as Pakistan imported nearly six million barrels of crude oil from the US for the first time.
The development was shared by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary S. Paul Kapur, which was also attended by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker.
The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in energy, petroleum, infrastructure, and broader economic areas, with both sides expressing interest in deepening long-term strategic cooperation.
US Assistant Secretary Kapur described Pakistan as an important partner and said the current momentum in bilateral relations could be translated into a stronger and more sustained economic partnership.
The minister briefed the delegation on ongoing reforms in Pakistan’s energy sector aimed at improving efficiency, encouraging local value addition, and creating a more investor-friendly environment to attract foreign capital.
He highlighted potential areas for cooperation, including port infrastructure, strategic storage facilities, refinery upgradation, exploration activities, and mineral development. He also noted that Pakistan’s recent import of around six million barrels of US crude oil represents a significant milestone in bilateral energy trade.
The shipment was facilitated through Cnergyico Pk Limited, marking a notable step in diversifying Pakistan’s crude oil sourcing portfolio.
Ali Pervaiz Malik emphasized that strong political relations between the leadership of Pakistan and the United States provide a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in key strategic sectors, particularly energy security.
Both sides also discussed potential collaboration in capacity-building initiatives to enhance institutional and technical expertise within Pakistan’s energy sector. They agreed to maintain close engagement going forward to explore new avenues of mutual cooperation.
