Saudi Wafi Energy launches second eco-friendly fuel station in Pakistan

Wafi Energy launches second fuel station made with recycled plastic in Rawalpindi on September 25, 2025. (Handout/Wafi Energy)
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Updated 26 September 2025
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Saudi Wafi Energy launches second eco-friendly fuel station in Pakistan

  • New station built using 7,700kgs of plastic waste is located in Police Lines Rawalpindi
  • Rawalpindi launch reflects firm’s mission to promote climate resilience in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Saudi company Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited on Thursday inaugurated the country’s second retail station built with recycled plastic in Rawalpindi, highlighting its push for green solutions in Pakistan’s energy and retail sectors.

Wafi Energy, an affiliate of the Asyad Group, became the majority shareholder of Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) in November last year and now holds approximately 87.78 percent of the total issued share capital of SPL.

The new station located in Police Lines Rawalpindi was built using 7,700kgs of plastic waste, equal to more than 5.8 million pieces of end-of-life plastics infused into construction materials, according to Wafi Energy.

“At Wafi Energy, sustainability is not just a commitment — it is a responsibility,” Wafi Energy quoted CEO Zubair Shaikh as saying.

“With the launch of Pakistan’s second retail site made with recycled plastic, we are demonstrating how innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand,” it continued.

“By reusing over 5.8 million pieces of plastic waste, this site is more than just a fuel station — it is a symbol of our belief in a cleaner, greener future for Pakistan.”

Wafi Energy’s first station in Pakistan’s metropolitan Karachi city, built with alumni startup Concept Loop, used 6,500 kg of plastic waste to make pavers and concrete blocks.

The company has also built a 730-foot plastic road outside its Karachi head office using 2.5 tons of waste lubricant bottles, which has proven resilient against heat and rain.

The launch of the Rawalpindi site reflects Wafi Energy’s mission to develop solutions contributing toward Pakistan’s climate resilience, according to the company.

Officials from the Saudi Arabian embassy and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority also attended the inauguration ceremony.

SPL is one of the oldest multinationals in Pakistan, with a network of over 600 sites, countrywide storage facilities and a broad portfolio of global lubricant brands.

Shell has supported Pakistan’s development by providing energy for major projects like Mangla Dam and Kotri Barrage, powering the first flights of Pakistan International Airlines and expanding road infrastructure.


Pakistan launches crypto testing framework to regulate digital assets

Updated 20 February 2026
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Pakistan launches crypto testing framework to regulate digital assets

  • Regulatory ‘sandbox’ to let firms test crypto products under supervision
  • Move comes amid broader push to formalize Pakistan’s digital asset sector

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) on Friday launched a crypto testing framework to regulate digital assets, allowing firms to trial new products and services under official supervision.

The initiative, formally structured as a regulatory “sandbox,” creates a controlled environment where companies can test crypto-related services under the oversight of the regulator before full-scale approval.

According to PVARA, the sandbox will support real-world use cases including tokenization, stablecoins, remittances and on- and off-ramp infrastructure.

Tokenization refers to converting real-world assets into digital tokens on a blockchain, while stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to a fiat currency to maintain a stable value. On- and off-ramp infrastructure allows users to convert between fiat money and digital assets, enabling the practical use of virtual asset products.
“The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has formally approved and launched its Regulatory Sandbox for virtual assets,” PVARA said in a post on X. “Sandbox Guidelines and the application process will be published shortly on our website.”

 

 

The move comes as the government seeks to build a formal regulatory framework for digital assets while attracting investment and strengthening oversight of the sector.

Pakistan has stepped up efforts recently to regulate its digital asset sector and is exploring digital currency initiatives as part of broader measures to reduce cash usage.

In January, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024 and linked to US President Donald Trump’s family to explore the use of a dollar-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments.