Pakistan forms high-level committee to develop strategic petroleum reserves

Pakistan has constituted a high-level committee to design and operationalise Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR), aiming to reduce exposure to global oil price shocks and supply disruptions, The News reported. 

The decision was formalised through a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) following a meeting chaired by the petroleum minister, with the committee required to submit recommendations and an implementation roadmap by May 8, 2026.

The committee, headed by the Special Secretary of the Petroleum Division, includes representatives from the National Crisis Management Cell, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, Joint Staff Headquarters, Directorate General Logistics, Pakistan State Oil, Inter-State Gas Systems and the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. 

Private sector stakeholders, including HUBCO and representatives from refineries and storage operators, may also be included.

According to the notification, the panel will prepare proposals for operationalising strategic reserves, assess existing oil storage infrastructure and identify capacity gaps across the country.

It will also examine financing options and investment requirements to expand storage capacity in line with long-term energy needs.

Officials said the initiative will draw on existing technical studies that have highlighted shortcomings in Pakistan’s fuel storage system and the need for structured emergency reserves.

The move is aimed at strengthening energy security and improving resilience against volatility in global oil markets driven by geopolitical risks.