Pakistan and Oman Strengthen Energy Partnership Amid Regional Tensions
Islamabad and Muscat have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding energy cooperation as geopolitical instability impacts global supply routes. The pledge came during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Oman’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Fahad Bin Sulaiman Bin Khalaf Alkharusi, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Diversifying Energy Sources
Minister Malik highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to diversify its energy imports and enhance supply resilience, particularly by exploring routes and sources outside the Strait of Hormuz. This move comes in response to changing regional dynamics and potential disruptions to energy flows.
Ambassador Alkharusi welcomed Pakistan’s diversification strategy and affirmed Oman’s readiness to support Pakistan in bolstering its energy security.
Preferential Energy Cargoes
During the meeting, Minister Malik expressed optimism that Oman would favorably consider Pakistan’s request for preferential energy cargoes to meet its growing requirements. The Ambassador responded positively, assuring that the request would be given due consideration.
Oman has already begun increasing its energy exports to Pakistan, with three petrol cargoes and one diesel cargo delivered in March. Two additional petrol cargoes are scheduled for delivery this month.
Expanding Cooperation
Both countries also discussed opportunities to enhance cooperation in the upstream sector, including exploration and production, and to expand collaboration on oil and gas development projects. Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Oman Trading International (OQT) are currently in discussions to explore the possibility of additional oil cargoes to meet Pakistan’s energy demand.
The discussions underscore the long-standing, cordial, and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Oman, rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and strong people-to-people ties.
Regional Context
These developments occur against a backdrop of global fuel supply concerns stemming from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy transport. Despite these challenges, Pakistan has maintained a steady supply of crude oil from Saudi Arabia via the Red Sea and from the United Arab Emirates through Fujairah.
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