ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States agreed on Thursday to deepen cooperation in the energy and petroleum sectors, as Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Pakistan had imported nearly six million barrels of crude oil from the US for the first time through Cnergyico Pk Limited amid efforts to expand bilateral economic ties.
The understanding came during a meeting between Malik and US Assistant Secretary S Paul Kapur, attended by US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker, where both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in energy, petroleum and broader economic sectors.
Kapur said Pakistan and the US remained important partners and noted that the current momentum could be converted into a stronger economic partnership.Malik briefed the US delegation on reforms underway in Pakistan’s energy sector aimed at improving efficiency, promoting indigenisation and creating an investor-friendly environment to attract foreign investment.
He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in port infrastructure, storage facilities, refinery upgradation, exploration and minerals development, adding that the recent import of around six million barrels of US crude marked a significant step in bilateral energy trade. The shipment was imported by Cnergyico Pk Limited.
The minister said close ties between the Pakistani and American leadership provided a strong foundation for expanding cooperation in strategic sectors.Both sides also discussed collaboration in capacity-building initiatives to strengthen institutional and technical capabilities in the energy sector and agreed to maintain close engagement on areas of mutual interest.
