Pakistan seeks Libyan crude as it diversifies oil supplies amid Middle East supply disruptions

Pakistan has encouraged its domestic refineries to look at importing Libyan crude, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said in a statement on Monday, as part of an effort to widen oil supply sources. Business Recorder reported that the matter came up in a bilateral meeting with Libya's Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh.

The minister told Libya's counterpart that Pakistan wants a broader mix of crude suppliers, so it has backup options if key shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait are disrupted. Libya's minister said he would urge his national oil company to send larger crude volumes to Pakistani firms, and he also described plans to upgrade Libyan refineries. Separately, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said he expects to visit Pakistan next month to receive a TPAO seismic vessel that will begin data work in the Indus Basin.

Speaking at a plenary session on sustainable energy investment, Ali Pervaiz said the global energy sector is entering a new investment cycle that needs funding for hydrocarbons and minerals as well as renewables. He added that Pakistan came through the 2026 energy supply shock without rationing key sources. Its strategic reserves, bonded reserves scheme and domestic production are being strengthened, he said.