By SKM
January 20, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Monday explored a potential USD 400000 British-backed initiative in the minerals sector, while moving to broaden cooperation in oil and gas exploration, offshore energy, and regulatory reform, as Islamabad accelerates efforts to attract foreign investment and modernize its energy framework.
The discussions were held during a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and British High Commissioner to Pakistan H.E. Jane Marriott, with both sides signaling renewed momentum in bilateral engagement across Pakistan’s energy and minerals landscape.
High Commissioner Jane Marriott said Pakistan offers “tremendous potential” for international investors and noted that ongoing economic reforms are strengthening the investment environment. She reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s interest in expanding technical and commercial cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in resource development and institutional capacity building.
A central focus of the talks was the minerals sector, where collaboration between the British Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) is advancing toward a comprehensive capacity-building program. The British side has indicated potential support of up to USD 400000 for the initiative, which is expected to significantly improve geological mapping, data transparency, and technical capabilities in Pakistan. The minister said the program, once finalized, would be a major step toward unlocking the country’s largely underdeveloped mineral potential.
The two sides also reviewed cooperation in oil and gas exploration, with Minister Malik emphasizing the government’s push for transparent, credible, and investor-friendly regulatory processes. He said concrete measures are being implemented to strengthen institutions across the energy sector and restore investor confidence.
Underscoring the importance of effective regulation, the minister highlighted the need to restructure and build the capacity of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). He proposed a comprehensive diagnostic exercise, supported by the UK, alongside the introduction of modern governance and regulatory tools to improve OGRA’s performance. High Commissioner Marriott agreed that a strong regulator is critical to the sustainability of the sector and said such cooperation could be jointly pursued.
Inviting greater British private-sector participation, the minister encouraged UK companies to explore opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in offshore exploration, where the UK has strong technical expertise. Ms. Marriott said cooperation in offshore energy holds significant promise and could deliver mutual benefits.
The minister noted that Pakistan’s recent offshore bidding round drew international interest, including participation from Turkish Petroleum, and suggested that British companies could partner with Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises to pursue joint exploration and development projects.
Ali Pervaiz Malik also invited the British High Commissioner to attend the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) scheduled for April 8–9, 2026. Recalling the strong response to last year’s forum, Ms. Marriott said the UK would engage British companies—particularly service providers—to ensure robust participation in the upcoming event.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening Pakistan–UK cooperation in the energy and minerals sectors, with a focus on sustainable development, increased investment flows, and long-term institutional strengthening. Ends
