Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed that Pak Arab Refinery Limited, Pakistan Refinery Limited, National Refinery Limited, Cnergyico, and Attock Refinery Limited have all agreed to participate in the Refinery Upgradation Policy. The transition to ultra-low sulfur fuel production is intended to align the nation with international standards while bolstering domestic resilience against supply shocks.

This strategic pivot comes as the country faces mounting pressure from global energy disruptions. With traditional supply routes from the Middle East constrained by regional conflict, Pakistan has been forced to pay record premiums for imports. In response, local refiners are actively scouting alternative crude sources from Nigeria, the United States, and Central Asia. Complementing these refinery upgrades, the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited recently partnered with a Canadian firm to deploy new extraction technologies, signaling a broader push to increase domestic crude production and insulate the economy from further spot market volatility.