Islamabad — Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker on Wednesday to explore ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the energy sector, with a particular focus on oil, gas, and minerals.
During the meeting, Baker emphasized the growing interest of American companies in Pakistan’s energy market. “There is strong and increasing interest from US firms in Pakistan’s oil, gas, and mineral sectors, aligned with President Trump’s vision,” she said.
She added that the United States is committed to supporting Pakistan in this space. The US Embassy, she noted, will play an active role in creating direct connections between American businesses and their Pakistani counterparts in the Exploration and Production (E&P) industry to unlock shared potential.
Minister Malik welcomed the interest from US investors and shared details of the opportunities Pakistan is preparing to offer. He said the government is launching a new bidding round for both onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration blocks, presenting valuable prospects for international firms.
“Pakistan has vast untapped reserves of shale oil and gas. Unlocking these indigenous resources is a top priority for the government,” he said. Malik also noted that discussions with US companies are already underway, and a positive exchange of technical information is taking place.
Both sides praised the recent success of the “Direct Line” webinar, a US Embassy initiative aimed at connecting American firms with investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral sector. They agreed it could serve as a model for future collaboration in the oil and gas sectors as well.
Baker also indicated that following advancements in cooperation in counterterrorism, America will now seek to elevate its relationship with Pakistan to economic activity.
The conclusion of the meeting was reached on a joint agreement to enhance further development in the energy sector, with American technology and investment to support expansion to each other and stability.
