Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia: petroleum minister

Ali Pervaiz Malik condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, holds talks on diversifying energy supplies

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on Monday said Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia during its current difficulties, condemning Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and expressing solidarity with the Kingdom.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attacks by the Houthi militia on Saudi soil,” Malik said, while offering condolences over the loss of precious lives.

He made the remarks while addressing a plenary session titled “Investment and Trade in Sustainable Energy Solutions: Making Energy Clean, Accessible and Affordable” at the 17th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to a press release, Malik attended the meeting at the invitation of Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. His participation, he said, reflected Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kingdom, in line with the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Highlights of Participation of Pakistan's delegation led by Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik in the International Energy forum (IEF) 2026 in Riyadh pic.twitter.com/RVjHpMd53h

— Petroleum Division, Ministry of Energy (@Official_PetDiv) October 12, 2026

Addressing the forum, Malik said the global energy sector was entering a new investment cycle in which energy security, affordability and sustainability needed to advance together.

He stressed the need for investment not only in renewable energy but also in hydrocarbons, critical minerals and essential infrastructure, including electricity grids and pipelines.

Referring to the unprecedented global energy supply shock of 2026, the minister said the crisis had extended beyond oil and gas to affect shipping and insurance.

Despite its heavy reliance on imported energy, Pakistan had navigated the crisis without rationing major energy sources, supported by the government’s response and cooperation from friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, he said.

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Malik also thanked Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman for personally steering energy cooperation with Pakistan.

The minister said Pakistan was working to strengthen its long-term energy security through strategic reserves, a world-class bonded reserves scheme, increased domestic energy production and investment in critical infrastructure, including refineries and tank farms.

He also highlighted efforts to develop competitive electricity and gas markets and introduce targeted relief mechanisms.

International investment and trade frameworks, he stressed, needed to balance innovation and sustainability with affordability, equity and access. Pakistan looked forward to working with all IEF member countries to advance shared energy security objectives for future generations, he added.

Pakistan seeks Libyan crude oil supplies

On the sidelines of the IEF ministerial meeting, Malik met Libyan Minister of Oil and Gas Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

The petroleum minister informed his Libyan counterpart that Pakistan had encouraged its refineries to explore importing Libyan crude oil as part of efforts to diversify supply sources and strengthen energy security.

Riyadh: Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Libya’s Minister of Oil & Gas, H.E. Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, on the sidelines of the IEF Ministerial Meeting to discuss oil and gas cooperation, including Libyan crude oil supplies to Pak and collaboration on refinery upgradation pic.twitter.com/TMGqDCLNpy

— Petroleum Division, Ministry of Energy (@Official_PetDiv) October 12, 2026

He said Pakistan aimed to maintain alternative supply options in the event of disruptions to key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Libyan minister described Pakistan as an important country for Libya and said he would encourage the country’s national oil company to allocate greater volumes of crude oil to Pakistani companies.

Abdulsadek also said Libya was planning to upgrade its refineries and expressed interest in learning from Pakistan’s experience in refinery upgradation.

Talks with Qatar and Türkiye

Malik also held a detailed breakfast meeting with Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi to explore potential cooperation in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.

Separately, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar met Malik on the sidelines of the forum and expressed his intention to visit Pakistan next month to receive the Turkish Petroleum Corporation’s (TPAO) seismic vessel, which is expected to begin data acquisition in the Indus Basin.

Riyadh: On the sidelines of IEF, Turkish Energy Minister HE Alparslan Bayraktar called on the Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and stated he was looking forward to visiting Pakistan next month to receive TPAO seismic vessel to start data acquisition in Indus Basin. pic.twitter.com/RHyaZ5M0Ff

— Petroleum Division, Ministry of Energy (@Official_PetDiv) October 12, 2026

Malik also met other global energy leaders, including ministers and heads of energy companies, to discuss cooperation and investment opportunities.

The meetings underscored Pakistan’s focus on international energy cooperation, diversification of supply sources, resilient energy infrastructure and investment in a secure, affordable and sustainable energy future.