Pakistan Urges Refineries to Explore Libyan Crude Imports

Pakistan is asking its refineries to explore Libyan crude imports as Islamabad seeks alternative supplies against possible disruptions affecting key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.

Pakistan Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik raised the proposal with Libya’s Oil and Gas Minister Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek during a meeting on the sidelines of the 17th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 11.

The proposal is part of Pakistan’s effort to diversify crude supplies and preserve alternatives if shipping disruptions affect energy flows. No purchase agreement, import volume, price, crude grade or delivery schedule was announced.

Abdulsadek said he would encourage Libya’s national oil company to allocate greater crude volumes to Pakistani companies. No approval of specific cargoes or binding supply commitment was disclosed.

The forum addressed supply-chain vulnerabilities, market resilience and energy trade. Pakistan’s wider energy strategy includes developing strategic reserves, increasing domestic production and expanding refinery and tank-farm infrastructure.

Pakistan and Libya also expressed interest in exchanging expertise on refinery upgrades. Pakistan is also pursuing energy cooperation with Qatar and Türkiye, including a planned Turkish seismic survey vessel to collect data in the Indus Basin.