Desk : Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister has publicly acknowledged serious weaknesses in the country’s energy security framework, stating that Pakistan does not possess strategic oil reserves comparable to those of India.
In a television interview, the minister admitted that Pakistan relies primarily on limited commercial oil inventories, which are insufficient to sustain the country during prolonged supply disruptions or emergency situations. He noted that the available stock of crude oil and petroleum products can only meet domestic demand for a few days.
The minister further warned that fluctuations in global oil prices and any disruption in international supply chains could have a direct and severe impact on Pakistan’s already strained economy. According to him, the absence of strategic petroleum reserves makes the country highly vulnerable to external shocks.
Referring to India, he stated that India has developed a comparatively stronger strategic oil storage system, enabling it to better manage supply disruptions and global market volatility. Pakistan, he admitted, is still lagging in this critical area of energy infrastructure.
Energy experts point out that strategic petroleum reserves are an essential component of national energy security. Their absence can increase economic instability and create supply shortages during crises, directly affecting the public.
The minister’s remarks are being seen as an official acknowledgment of structural weaknesses in Pakistan’s energy policy, highlighting the urgent need for long-term planning and investment in strategic reserves.