Pakistan fuel supplies for September have been secured, while the government has also reduced risks linked to October requirements. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Islamabad is now planning for November as uncertainty over the regional conflict continues.
Malik said Pakistan has adequate fuel stocks despite the difficult regional situation. He explained that September requirements are covered and the country can manage October even under adverse conditions. However, the government must prepare further for November if disruptions continue.
The government is preparing several contingency plans to manage possible interruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Saudi supply routes. These routes remain important for Pakistan because most of its imported oil and gas comes from the Gulf region. Any prolonged disruption could put pressure on domestic fuel availability.
Pakistan is also examining alternative sources of crude oil. Malik said the government is considering supplies from Oman and Fujairah, while Libya, the United States, Western Africa including Nigeria, and Kazakhstan are also under consideration. These options could help diversify crude supplies if regional disruptions continue.
The petroleum minister said Pakistan is exploring the possibility of bringing a very large crude carrier (VLCC) from the United States and keeping it near Hub. He explained that a VLCC can carry several times more crude than a regular carrier. However, Pakistani ports currently lack the required draft and infrastructure to accommodate such vessels directly.
Malik said the government could keep the vessel near Oman’s Sohar port or close to Hub and then transfer crude between ships. He warned that a disruption in this supply chain could create a serious diesel shortage because Pakistani refineries are operating at high throughput to meet domestic demand. Saudi supplies have also faced disruption following attacks on oil facilities, he said.
Pakistan fuel supplies remain vulnerable because around 80 to 85 percent of the country’s imported oil and gas comes from the Gulf region through the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has already reduced LNG and LPG supplies, while local refineries and oil marketing companies are exploring alternative routes at higher costs. Malik also said Pakistan considers any attack on its vessels an act of war against the state.
