KARACHI: The 17th edition of the Pakistan Oil, Gas and Energy Exhibition kicked off in Karachi on Thursday with visible participation from Middle Eastern companies drawn in by promises of greater concessions from a country that hopes improved security in recent years will reassure foreign investors who have been deterred in the past by the threat of militant violence.
Pakistan has been under mounting pressure in recent years to shore up its creaking energy infrastructure, both to provide more reliable supplies of oil and gas to its growing population of more than 200 million and to cut reliance on expensive foreign imports.
The country is believed to have rich mineral resources, with conventional gas reserves estimated at 20 trillion cubic feet (tcf), or 560 billion cubic meters, and shale gas reserves, which are so far untouched, at more than 100 tcf.
This year, the international energy conference, which will see the participation of around 223 companies from 26 countries over the three-day-long event, saw a greater interest from Gulf countries hoping to expand their outreach in Pakistan through digital industrial solutions, services and products.
“The newer part is the technological openness of Pakistan and that is the major attraction for foreign companies,” said Aamer Khanzada, the Managing Director of Pegasus Consultancy, the organizers of the exhibition. “Exploration opportunities in Pakistan’s onshore and offshore fields are also gaining momentum. Companies from Middle East are showing increasing interest in green and clean energy. They are showing interest in investment in various sectors and are here to explore opportunities.”
A range of Saudi and UAE companies that offer digital solutions to petroleum and household sector had exhibited their products and services at Thursday’s event.
“We are offering digital partnership for the digital transformation of the energy industry, mainly related to petroleum, oil and gas,” said Ammad Ghafoor, a representative for Saudi AVEVA, which provides digital transformation services to Saudi oil giant Aramco and SABIC, a Saudi company active in petrochemicals, chemicals, industrial polymers, fertilizers, and metals.
Polyfab Plastic Industry LLC, a UAE-based manufacturer of HDPE pipes and fittings, UPV pipes and fitting and PVC duct pipes and accessories, also participated in the exhibition for the first time.
“We have been selling our products in other gulf countries and South Africa but this is our first visit to Pakistan to introduce our products here,” Mohsin Ejaz, a representative of Polyfab told Arab News.
Junaid Makda, President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he had asked Polyfab to come up with a proposal on how the company and its products could help Pakistan save financial resources.
“I have asked them that I will link them with Karachi Water and Sewerage Board for business purposes (for PVC pipes),” Makda said. “They are exporting to other countries but due to RD (Regulatory duty imposed on imports) it was not feasible for them to export to Pakistan but this can now be removed.”
Middle East companies show off technology solutions, products at Pakistani energy exhibit
Middle East companies show off technology solutions, products at Pakistani energy exhibit
- Around 223 companies from 26 countries participating in three-day-long event this year
- Greater interest from Gulf countries drawn in by promises of opportunity as Pakistan struggles to shore up energy infrastructure
Pakistan, Qatar seize 4.48 kg cocaine at Islamabad airport in joint anti-narcotics operation
- Female passenger arrested after arriving from Sharjah via Doha, handler detained outside terminal
- Pakistan lies along regional trafficking routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have seized about 4.48 kilograms of cocaine at Islamabad International Airport and arrested two suspects in a joint operation coordinated with Qatar, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday.
Pakistan lies along regional trafficking routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, with airports — particularly transit hubs such as Doha — frequently used to move narcotics through couriers. Authorities say recent years have seen rising interceptions of cocaine shipments destined for urban markets.
“Following the GCC Conference on Counter Narcotics held at Islamabad in April 2025, Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) Pakistan, in coordination with Qatari counterparts, has conducted a joint intelligence-based operation at Islamabad International Airport,” the ANF said in a statement.
“Operation underscores the effectiveness of enhanced intelligence sharing and operational coordination between Pakistan and Qatar in countering transnational drug trafficking,” the ANF added.
“Cocaine — a highly dangerous and expensive narcotic, often linked to elite consumption — is increasingly being trafficked into Pakistan. ANF remains vigilant in monitoring and disrupting its inflow.”
The force said officers intercepted a Pakistani woman arriving from Sharjah via Doha after receiving shared intelligence and recovered cocaine concealed in a hand-carried trolley bag.
During questioning, investigators said the passenger identified a handler waiting outside the arrivals area, after which authorities detained a second suspect and seized a vehicle.
Investigators said the bag had allegedly been handed to the courier during transit at Hamad International Airport in Doha by a foreign national on instructions from handlers based in the United Arab Emirates, and that coordinated investigations were underway in both countries.
The ANF said the case highlighted cross-border trafficking networks using international transit routes and couriers, adding that the suspects and seized narcotics would remain in custody pending further investigation.
