Pakistan Has No Strategic Petroleum Reserve: Ministry Monitors Stocks Daily To Prevent Shortages While Experts Warn Emergency Monitoring Cannot Replace A Dedicated Reserve. LHC Commission Recommendations From 2020 Were Never Implemented
According to The Express Tribune, escalating US-Iran tensions and uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz have exposed Pakistan’s fundamental vulnerability to energy shocks: despite importing the bulk of its petroleum requirements, Pakistan does not have a government-owned strategic petroleum reserve capable of sustaining the country during war, maritime disruptions or prolonged supply interruptions.
Instead, the country relies on commercial stocks held by oil marketing companies and refineries — designed for routine demand, not national emergencies. During recent Iran-US tensions, the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum Division monitored product availability, import cargoes, port inventories and oil company stocks daily. Energy experts stress emergency monitoring cannot replace a dedicated reserve.
The concept of strategic reserves has been discussed for years. A Lahore High Court petition in 2020 led to a commission that recommended maintaining reserves equivalent to 15 days of national consumption as an initial target. Those recommendations were never implemented. Experts now argue Pakistan should maintain 60 days of reserves — some developed nations hold 90 or more. Even if work starts immediately, building the required storage terminals, underground facilities, pipeline infrastructure and acquiring land would take three to five years.
Pakistan has been planning its strategic petroleum reserve for over two decades. The war finally forced the question.
Check out our previous coverage of Pakistan’s energy sector on The Trusted Times.
