Islamabad says Saudi Wafi Energy considering $100 million investment to expand Pakistan operations

Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb meets a delegation of Wafi Energy Pakistan at the Finance Division in Islamabad, Pakistan, on February 2, 2026. (@Financegovpk/X)
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Updated 02 February 2026
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Islamabad says Saudi Wafi Energy considering $100 million investment to expand Pakistan operations

  • Wafi Energy, an affiliate of Saudi Arabia’s Asyad conglomerate, became majority shareholder of Shell Pakistan Limited in 2024
  • Investment to expand retail and storage infrastructure, modernize operations and pursue technology-driven initiatives

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Wafi Energy Pakistan company is considering a potential investment of $100 million over the next two to three years to expand its retail infrastructure, modernize operations and pursue digitization initiatives in Pakistan, the Finance Division said on Monday. 

Wafi Energy, an affiliate of the Saudi Asyad conglomerate, became the majority shareholder of one of the country’s oldest multinationals, Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL), in November 2024.

Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met a delegation of Wafi Energy Pakistan at the Finance Division on Monday, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, enhanced investor confidence and stronger foreign exchange buffers. 

“The Wafi Energy Pakistan delegation shared its confidence in Pakistan’s economic outlook and indicated that the company is considering potential investment of up to USD 100 million over the next two to three years,” the Finance Division said.

It added that the investment would be used to expand Wafi Energy Pakistan’s retail and storage infrastructure, modernize operations and pursue technology-driven improvements, including digitization initiatives. 

The delegation also stressed the importance of a stable, transparent and predictable policy framework to support long-term investment in the energy sector. It welcomed continued engagement with the Pakistani government. 

“The finance minister reaffirmed the government’s focus on reforms, privatization, digitization and public-private partnerships, while noting that ongoing strategic engagement with international partners will continue to strengthen economic cooperation and investor confidence,” the statement added. 

Aurangzeb also referred to Pakistan’s ongoing high-level strategic engagement with international partners, including Saudi Arabia, noting that such engagements provide valuable platforms to strengthen economic cooperation and investment ties. 

Wafi Energy has two retail stations in Pakistan’s Karachi and Rawalpindi cities. It takes particular interest in green initiatives, building a 730-foot plastic road outside its Karachi head office with 2.5 tons of waste lubricant bottles. 

Its retail site in Rawalpindi was built using 7,700 kilograms of plastic waste, equivalent to more than 5.8 million pieces of end-of-life plastics, infused into construction materials. 

Last week, Wafi Energy Pakistan announced it had signed an agreement with Hyundai’s official manufacturing partner in Pakistan to supply premium lubricants for the company’s vehicles. 


Pakistan urges Hajj pilgrims to complete Saudi biometrics till Sunday

Updated 07 February 2026
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Pakistan urges Hajj pilgrims to complete Saudi biometrics till Sunday

  • Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj
  • Saudi biometric verification is mandatory for issuance of Hajj visas, ministry says

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani religious affairs ministry has urged aspiring Hajj pilgrims to complete mandatory Saudi biometric verification for Hajj visas by Sunday, Pakistani state media reported, with preparations for the 2026 pilgrimage gathering pace following stricter oversight of the Hajj process.

Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, with the majority of seats reserved under the government scheme and the remainder allocated to private tour operators.

Regulations for private Hajj operators have been tightened and their quota reduced following widespread complaints last year, when tens of thousands of pilgrims were unable to travel under the private Hajj scheme.

The Pakistani religious affairs ministry said last month that Saudi biometric verification is mandatory for the issuance of Hajj visas and pilgrims should complete it at home using the ‘Saudi Visa Bio’ app.

“Hajj visas will not be issued without biometrics, however pilgrims over 80 years of age are exempted from biometrics,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported, citing the religious affairs ministry.

Pakistan has been steadily implementing digital and procedural requirements for pilgrims ahead of Hajj 2026, including mandatory training sessions, biometric checks and greater use of mobile applications, as part of efforts to reduce mismanagement.

Pilgrims who were unable to complete biometric verification through the mobile application should visit designated Saudi Tasheer centers before Feb. 8, according to the religious affairs ministry.

Details of the centers are available on Pakistan’s official Hajj mobile application. Tasheer centers will remain open from 9am to 5pm today and on Sunday to facilitate Hajj pilgrims, it added.