Islamabad: Pakistan has taken a significant step to strengthen its energy security by establishing a high-level committee to design and implement strategic petroleum reserves. The move aims to protect the national economy from global oil price volatility and potential supply disruptions.
Committee structure and mandate
According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum Division, authorities have tasked the committee with submitting recommendations and a detailed implementation roadmap by May 8, 2026. The federal petroleum minister chaired the meeting that led to the formation of this body.
Moreover, the committee will operate under the leadership of the special secretary of the Petroleum Division and includes senior representatives from key institutions. These include 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. In addition, officials may incorporate private-sector stakeholders such as HUBCO, refinery operators, and storage companies into the process.
Focus on infrastructure and long-term planning
The committee will evaluate existing storage infrastructure and map all available oil storage facilities across the country. Furthermore, it will propose measures to optimize current capacity while identifying gaps in the system. Authorities have also directed the group to explore financing strategies and investment requirements needed to expand reserves over the long term.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that the committee will rely on previous technical studies, including reports highlighting deficiencies in Pakistan’s fuel storage capacity. Consequently, the initiative seeks to establish a more structured and reliable emergency reserve system.
