Islamabad, July 29: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to resolve outstanding issues delaying the implementation of the country’s refinery policy, paving the way for long-awaited upgrades aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s oil refining sector.
During a high-level meeting, the prime minister reviewed progress on the policy and instructed relevant ministries to remove administrative and regulatory bottlenecks that have slowed investment in refinery modernization. He emphasized the need for timely implementation to strengthen the country’s energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
Officials briefed the prime minister on proposed amendments to the refinery policy, including measures designed to encourage investment in upgrading existing facilities to produce cleaner, Euro-V compliant fuels and improve refining efficiency.
The government believes the revised policy will provide greater certainty to investors while enabling refineries to undertake major infrastructure improvements. Industry representatives have long argued that policy clarity is essential for attracting billions of rupees in investment needed to modernize ageing refining facilities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also stressed the importance of close coordination among federal ministries, regulatory bodies, and the petroleum industry to ensure that approved reforms are implemented without further delay. He directed officials to maintain regular oversight of the process and resolve any remaining obstacles promptly.
Energy analysts say successful implementation of the refinery policy could help improve fuel quality, reduce environmental emissions, enhance domestic refining capacity, and strengthen Pakistan’s overall energy resilience.
The government is expected to finalize the remaining procedural steps in the coming weeks, with officials expressing optimism that the policy will accelerate investment and support the long-term development of the country’s petroleum sector.
