ISLAMABAD, May 14, 2026 — Pakistan is actively working to secure additional gas supplies to meet national energy requirements as the government formulates a comprehensive energy security policy aimed at strengthening resilience against external disruptions, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Thursday .
The minister made the remarks during a meeting with Qatar’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali bin Mubarak Al-Khater, at the Ministry of Energy in Islamabad .
Gratitude for Qatari Support Amid Crisis
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Energy, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen Pakistan-Qatar energy cooperation and agreed to maintain close coordination to ensure stable and reliable energy supplies in the future .
“The primary purpose of the meeting was to express Pakistan’s gratitude to Qatar for its timely facilitation in ensuring LNG supplies and to further strengthen coordination for future energy cooperation, especially regarding strategic storage,” the statement read .
Malik thanked Qatar for its continued support in providing LNG cargoes at a critical time when Pakistan was facing challenges due to “congestion in the Strait of Hormuz and the peak summer power demand” .
The minister noted that he remained in constant contact with Qatar’s Minister of Energy, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, and coordinated closely regarding LNG vessels. “As a result, two LNG cargoes have successfully reached Pakistan,” he said .
Comprehensive Energy Security Policy Underway
Malik mentioned that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the government was formulating a comprehensive energy security policy .
The policy aims to strengthen Pakistan’s resilience against external disruptions, a critical priority given the ongoing Middle East war that has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime corridor through which a significant portion of global energy supplies passes .
According to the statement, the minister emphasized that Pakistan would continue to coordinate closely with Qatar to ensure uninterrupted LNG supplies. He highlighted that Pakistan’s preference was to secure supplies from “friendly, brotherly countries through necessary approvals, without risking any loss of life or property” .
Qatar’s Unwavering Support
Qatar’s envoy reaffirmed Qatar’s unwavering support for Pakistan, stating that Qatar had directed him to extend all possible facilitation to Pakistan in meeting its energy needs .
The ambassador also praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the US and Iran and its constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region—a reference to Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement amid the US-Israel war on Iran that began on February 28 .
Separate Talks With Kuwait on Strategic Storage
Earlier in the week, Malik also held a meeting with Kuwait’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Nassar Abdulrahman Almutairi, in Islamabad to discuss cooperation and joint projects in the refining sector .
According to the Ministry of Energy, both sides discussed the possibility of establishing strategic storage facilities in the country, a move that would enhance Pakistan’s ability to maintain energy reserves during supply disruptions .
The minister thanked Kuwait for the “timely facilitation” of the vessel Khairpur, which arrived in Pakistan carrying 45,000 tonnes of diesel and 10,000 tonnes of jet fuel “during a challenging period” .
Context: Regional Energy Crisis
The diplomatic push for energy security comes as the Middle East conflict disrupts global supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy exports, has seen reduced traffic amid the ongoing war between the US-Israel alliance and Iran .
Pakistan typically meets a significant portion of its energy needs through imported LNG, with Qatar serving as a key supplier. The government has also been implementing austerity measures to curb fuel usage amid the global crunch .
What’s Next
The Ministry of Energy statement indicated that both Pakistan and Qatar agreed to maintain close coordination to ensure stable and reliable energy supplies in the future, with particular attention to strategic storage arrangements .
Malik’s outreach to both Qatar and Kuwait suggests Pakistan is pursuing a multi-pronged energy security strategy, engaging with multiple Gulf partners to diversify supply sources and build strategic reserves that can buffer against future disruptions .
The comprehensive energy security policy currently being formulated is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, outlining Pakistan’s long-term strategy for ensuring reliable energy supplies amid regional instability .
