Pakistan, Russia agree to deepen ties
The minister’s visit follows the September meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in energy, trade, and regional connectivity. photo: file
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik led Pakistan's delegation to the 14th St Petersburg International Gas Forum (SPIGF) 2025, where he held a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation with Russia in the oil, gas, and minerals sectors.
According to an official statement issued on Monday, Malik represented Pakistan at the forum's plenary session, "Gas Market 20252035: New Contours in a Fast-Moving Environment," where he outlined Pakistan's energy reforms and investor-friendly policies introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He told global industry leaders that Pakistan was pursuing energy diversification and transparency to attract international investors and ensure long-term sustainability.
The plenary session featured global energy figures, including Gazprom Chairman Alexey Miller, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, and Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. The discussion focused on emerging trends in global gas markets, energy transition, and international cooperation amid shifting geopolitical realities.
On the sidelines of the forum, Malik held detailed discussions with Gazprom's Chairman Alexey Miller. Both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration between Pakistan's Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Gazprom, particularly in exploration, joint ventures, and infrastructure development. Malik also met senior executives from Rusgeo, the Russian Geological Survey, and energy Artificial Intelligence (AI) company Nedra Digital. The talks centred on Russian investment opportunities in Pakistan's minerals and energy sectors, including technology transfers and digital solutions for exploration and production efficiency.
In a separate meeting with Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, Malik discussed trilateral cooperation in energy transport, LNG, and mineral development. Highlighting Pakistan's reform agenda, Malik invited international investors to participate in the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, saying it reflects Pakistan's resolve to become a key destination for resource-based investment.
The SPIGF, held from October 710 across multiple venues in St Petersburg, is one of the world's leading energy industry events. It gathered more than 30,000 participants from 50 countries, including policymakers, energy executives, and industry experts. The forum featured over 100 sessions on natural gas development, exploration technologies, digital transformation, and sustainable energy systems.
The minister's visit follows the September meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in energy, trade, and regional connectivity. They discussed developing a trade corridor linking Russia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to boost regional commerce.
PM Sharif had praised Russia's role in strengthening bilateral relations, noting that Pakistan's import of Russian crude oil last year significantly increased trade volumes. Putin described Pakistan as a "traditional and valued partner in Asia" and expressed optimism about expanding economic collaboration.
Malik's participation at SPIGF builds on his earlier engagement at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, where he unveiled Pakistan's Mining Framework Policy and highlighted the completion of the Reko Diq feasibility study. He emphasised that Pakistan's mineral wealth, ranging from copper and gold to lithium and rare earth elements, offers immense opportunities for sustainable development under clear regulatory structures.
The minister said Pakistan's energy and mining reforms, supported by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), aim to enhance investor confidence through transparency, environmental responsibility, and policy stability.