Minister says Pakistan State Oil to expand into renewable energy

A signage of Pakistan State oil is pictured at a fuel station in Islamabad on February 16, 2022. (AFP/File)
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Updated 30 May 2025
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Minister says Pakistan State Oil to expand into renewable energy

  • Pakistan’s largest fuel supplier’s plan signals a shift away from a fossil fuel-reliant energy mix
  • Ali Pervaiz Malik calls advancing transition to clean energy central to government’s energy vision

KARACHI: Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the country’s largest fuel supplier, is preparing to diversify its operations into renewable energy and emerging sectors of the energy market, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said during a high-level visit to the company’s Karachi headquarters on Thursday.

The move signals a strategic shift in Pakistan’s state-owned energy sector as it seeks to modernize infrastructure, reduce emissions and align with global trends toward sustainability.

Malik’s visit, part of a broader government outreach to key industry stakeholders, comes amid the government’s continuing efforts to reform Pakistan’s fossil fuel-reliant energy mix and enhance long-term resilience.

“The government is fully committed to steering Pakistan’s energy sector toward greater resilience, sustainability and innovation,” Malik said during meetings with PSO leadership and board members. “Enhancing fuel quality, reducing emissions and advancing the transition to clean energy are central to this vision.”

During the visit, PSO’s top management briefed the minister on the company’s performance, supply chain stability and automation initiatives.

Officials also outlined plans to modernize PSO’s infrastructure and develop forward-looking strategies to enter the renewable energy space, though no specific projects were announced.

Malik praised PSO’s role in maintaining reliable fuel supplies nationwide and pledged the government’s full support in helping the company address operational challenges.

He emphasized that policy alignment and cross-sector coordination would be key to creating a more efficient and consumer-focused energy ecosystem.

The minister also met with representatives of the Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC) and the Petroleum Dealers Association, where discussions focused on regulatory bottlenecks, profit margins and broader sectoral reforms.

He assured participants that their concerns would be addressed through structured engagement.

“In the best interest of the country, all stakeholders must collaborate with a shared commitment to progress,” Malik said. “Together, we can build a modern energy sector that meets the evolving needs of our nation.”

Pakistan has faced recurring energy crises in recent years, with high fuel import bills, inconsistent power supplies and delayed infrastructure upgrades straining the economy. While some private and semi-public entities have begun pivoting to renewables, PSO’s potential entry into the sector is expected to mark one of the first serious moves by a major state player.


Kuwait-backed digital bank to enter Pakistan with $100 million investment

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Kuwait-backed digital bank to enter Pakistan with $100 million investment

  • Finance adviser Khurram Schehzad describes the development as sign of rising investor confidence
  • It comes as Pakistan seeks foreign investment particularly from Gulf nations to bolster its economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Adviser Khurram Shehzad on Friday said Kuwait Investment Authority–backed Raqqami Islamic Digital Bank (RIDB) was set to invest $100 million in the South Asian country by launching operations in February this year.

The bank will be Pakistan’s first fully digital Shariah-compliant bank, according to its website. It offers online financing, savings, and payments to individuals and small-medium enterprises, with a focus on financial inclusion for underserved segments.

The development comes as Pakistan seeks foreign investment, particularly from Gulf nations, to bolster its economy and stabilize its finances. In 2024, the State Bank of Pakistan had issued a no-objection certificate to RIDB.

“Kuwait Investment Authority–backed Raqqami Bank set to launch in Pakistan with a $100 million investment,” Schehzad said in a post on X. “This is a strong vote of confidence in Pakistan’s improving economic outlook and reform momentum.”

Schehzad said Raqqami was backed by the State of Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund, a development he described as a sign of rising investor confidence in Pakistan.

It also underscores strengthening investment ties between Pakistan and Kuwait, particularly in the financial and digital economy sectors, he added.

Earlier in January, Bank Islami launched Pakistan’s first Shariah-compliant QR payment gateway enabling real-time online payments allowing customers to pay instantly from their bank accounts and enabling merchants to receive payments securely through a smooth checkout experience.