Islamabad, May 11, 2026(Ghufran): Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a high-level meeting at the Petroleum Division with the Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors of the country’s major oil refineries to review progress on the implementation of the Brownfield Refinery Upgradation Policy and discuss measures to accelerate refinery modernization projects.
Opening the meeting, the Federal Minister highlighted the strategic importance of Pakistan’s refining sector, describing local refineries as vital national assets that play a key role in ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply and strengthening the country’s energy security.
The Minister observed that the evolving regional situation amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict has reinforced the need for Pakistan to reduce reliance on external supply chains and enhance domestic refining capability and operational flexibility.
He emphasized that the timely upgradation of existing refineries is essential to increase production capacity, improve operational efficiency, and ensure the availability of cleaner Euro-V compliant fuels in accordance with international environmental standards. He noted that refinery modernization would contribute significantly toward improved environmental outcomes, reduced emissions, and enhanced engine performance.
The Federal Minister stated that despite the announcement of refining sector policies in 2023, implementation progress has remained slow. He stressed the importance of removing existing bottlenecks to facilitate refinery modernization and encourage long-term investment in the energy sector.
During the meeting, participants conducted a detailed review of the refining policies and the proposed Upgradation Agreement template to ensure effective and timely operationalization. CEOs and Managing Directors of the refineries highlighted key challenges facing the sector and proposed practical solutions, while expressing confidence in the efforts being undertaken by the Petroleum Division.
The exemption of sales tax on petroleum products was identified as a major issue affecting the financial viability of refinery upgradation projects. The Minister directed the relevant authorities to finalize a comprehensive proposal addressing these concerns and submit it to the appropriate forum prior to the finalization of the upcoming federal budget, enabling timely implementation of the refining policies.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to refinery modernization, the Federal Minister stated that upgrading Pakistan’s refining infrastructure remains a national priority essential for ensuring energy security, promoting cleaner fuels, and enhancing the country’s resilience against external disruptions.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Petroleum Division, including the Secretary Petroleum, Additional Secretary (Policy), Director General (Oil), as well as the heads of leading refining companies including Pakistan Refinery Limited, Pak-Arab Refinery Company, Attock Refinery Limited, Cnergyico, and National Refinery Limited.