Islamabad (TDI): Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held a high-level meeting with Nicolas Galey, Ambassador of France to Pakistan, to discuss the evolving regional situation, energy security, and opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the energy and mining sectors.
During the meeting, Ambassador Galey commended Pakistan’s effective handling of petroleum supply challenges in an increasingly volatile regional market.
He praised the government’s ability to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability, noting that Pakistan had maintained stability even as several South Asian countries struggled with disruptions. “There has not been even one hour of panic in Pakistan,” he remarked, congratulating the minister on the country’s performance.
Minister Malik welcomed the Ambassador’s appreciation and highlighted Pakistan’s proactive and coordinated response to the crisis.
He emphasized that the government prioritized supply continuity over price shocks, ensuring that petroleum products remained available while safeguarding the liquidity of the supply chain. According to the minister, this strategy played a critical role in stabilizing domestic markets during uncertain times.
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He further credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for establishing an efficient mechanism for swift inter-ministerial decision-making, enabling timely responses to shifting supply chain dynamics.
Malik added that coordinated diplomatic efforts by Pakistan’s senior leadership were instrumental in securing alternative petroleum supply channels at crucial moments.
Addressing financial concerns, the minister noted that while Pakistan bore the burden of maintaining supply stability, the government ensured that these costs were properly managed without exacerbating circular debt.
He also revealed that measures are being developed to introduce targeted subsidies aimed at protecting vulnerable segments of society from economic strain.
Ambassador Galey reaffirmed the strength of Pakistan-France relations, particularly in the energy sector, where cooperation has grown steadily in recent years.
He highlighted increasing interest from French companies in Pakistan’s mining industry and expressed optimism about their participation in the upcoming Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, scheduled for November.
