Pakistan, Turkiye agree on joint oil, gas bids
Islamabad became the scene for Pakistan and Turkiye to agree on exploring for oil and gas in their joint Karachi Minerals Investment Forum 2025 event.
The two nations established a collaboration deal to bid together in upcoming offshore exploration offers from Islamabad. Following its publication in February 2025 Pakistan opened up 40 offshore exploration blocks in Makran and Indus basins to international bidders. The upcoming block bid auction represents the main chance to bring international investors into Pakistan’s energy sector operations.
Through a recent press release the three Pakistani oil and gas producers Mari Energies OGDCL and PPL announced their partnership with Turkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortakligi. By teaming up with Turkish oil experts these Pakistani E&P companies will gain valuable industry knowledge to tap Pakistan’s offshore oil reserves through direct foreign investment.
The Pakistani Energy and Natural Resources minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met with Alparslan Bayraktar to discuss his positive view on energy industry partnerships. He explained that seismic testing located offshore resources and confirmed Pakistan will partner with others to unlock their energy value.
Discovery of Copper and Gold Reserves
During that same event Muhammad Ali Tabba last Chairman of National Resources Limited and Chief Executive Officer of Lucky Cement revealed that NRL found many copper and gold reserves at Chagai in Balochistan. NRL took charge of this area in October 2023 as 100% private owner through their business partnership with Fatima Fertiliser, Liberty Mills, and Lucky Cement. The location contains two mineralized porphyry sites that provide lucrative progressive exploration possibilities.
Over the past year and a half NRL found 18 new prospects but one of them named Tang Kaur made rapid drilling progress. NRL concludes 13 diamond holes amounting to 3,517 meters and starts advanced drilling at Tang Kaur in May 2025. Our focused exploration studies will continue between three to four years while other prospects undergo separate exploration procedures.
NRL obtained exploration rights to a lead and zinc deposit where a professional study already documented the project viability. The company researches how metals are processed downstream to determine if this activity is practical.
The company considers local communities key partners who should benefit from its social development projects which include better water access, educational programs, healthcare facilities and job creation. The organization employs a staff made up of 90% people from the local area. The National Resources Limited team works with Balochistan government departments and SIFC to acquire two more mineral rights for Chagai district through a $100 million exploration investment fund.
Saudi Delegation Meets Petroleum Minister
Deputy Minister for Mining Abdulrahman Al-Belushi led Saudi officials when they met with Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum. Senior Saudi representatives attended the meeting to develop joint business prospects by investigating oil gas and mineral opportunities throughout Pakistan.
Pakistan holds an extensive energy-reserve base and the government continues to develop investor-friendly policies to attract foreign investment.
The Saudi mining official said that Minerals Investment Forum achieved its goals and recommended making this yearly tradition. Furthermore Abdullah Al Shamrani the CEO of Saudi Geological Survey invited a Pakistani Geological Survey delegation to explore Saudi Arabia for joint knowledge sharing and technological exchange.
