By SKM
September 29, 2025
ISLAMABAD: In a major breakthrough for Pakistan’s energy landscape, the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) has reported five new oil and gas discoveries during the fiscal year 2024–25—a development hailed by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik as a powerful endorsement of the country’s untapped hydrocarbon potential.
Chairing a high-level meeting at OGDC’s head office in Islamabad on Monday, Minister Malik was briefed by Managing Director Ahmed Hayat Lak and senior company executives on the organization’s recent operational achievements and ongoing strategic efforts to stabilize production from mature fields.
“This is a testament to Pakistan’s vast natural resource base,” said the Minister. “The discoveries reflect the growing technical capacity of our domestic exploration and production (E&P) companies. Indigenization of the energy sector is no longer aspirational—it is essential.”
A key focus of the meeting was OGDC’s production optimization strategy, which aims to slow the decline in output from aging wells through modern recovery techniques, better reservoir management, and targeted investments. The initiative is viewed as critical to maximizing domestic output and reducing reliance on imported fuels.
Minister Malik emphasized that long-term improvements in operational performance must be underpinned by good governance and structural reforms, calling them essential to the petroleum sector’s sustainability and its ability to support national economic growth.
“Operational and financial performance go hand in hand with transparency and accountability,” he said. “We are fully committed to the reforms necessary to make the petroleum sector more efficient, competitive, and future-ready.”
He assured OGDC’s leadership of full government support, pledging facilitation for policy, regulatory, and investment-related improvements to unlock the sector’s full potential.
“We will do everything necessary to ensure that our E&P companies can thrive, attract investment, and drive Pakistan’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency,” Malik added.
In response, OGDC Managing Director Ahmed Hayat Lak thanked the Minister for his support and expressed confidence in the government’s reform agenda.
“There is now a clear policy direction and seriousness in reforming the sector,” said Lak. “This support strengthens OGDC’s resolve to lead from the front and contribute meaningfully to the country’s energy independence.”
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen collaboration between the Ministry of Petroleum and OGDC. Both sides agreed to focus on enabling policy frameworks, tapping into indigenous resources, and accelerating investment to modernize Pakistan’s energy sector and reduce import dependence. Ends
