Pakistan, Australia Eye Deeper Ties in Energy
Staff Report:
Islamabad: In a key development for Pakistan’s energy diplomacy, Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met with Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins on Monday to push forward bilateral cooperation in energy, mining, and skills development.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Petroleum, centered on enhancing Australian investment in Pakistan’s energy ecosystem, particularly in renewable energy and mineral extraction technologies.
Pakistan Seeks Australian Expertise in Renewable and Mining Sectors
According to a press release issued by Petroleum Division, Minister Malik reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening energy security and expressed openness to foreign technical partnerships. He welcomed Australia’s advanced capabilities in mining and renewable technologies, emphasizing that such cooperation could fast-track Pakistan’s energy transition and improve local resource utilization.
“There is immense potential for Australian firms to invest in Pakistan’s energy value chain, from extraction to innovation,” the minister noted.
40 Years of Australia-Pakistan Agriculture Cooperation
Australian Envoy Highlights Investor Confidence and Educational Linkages
High Commissioner Hawkins praised Pakistan’s economic reforms under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, citing improvements in the current account balance and the ease of profit repatriation for foreign investors.
He shared that Australian mining companies are increasingly interested in Pakistan’s mineral-rich regions, especially for joint ventures in areas like Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.
He also proposed tripartite collaboration involving Australian universities, mining companies, and Pakistani technical institutes to introduce modern mining curriculum and training services, aimed at building a skilled local workforce.
Commitment to Joint Ventures and Institutional Cooperation
Minister Malik welcomed the education-industry initiative, stating, “Pakistan values Australia’s advanced mining capabilities and technical knowledge. We welcome partnerships that build local capacity and attract investment in our mineral and energy sectors.”
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthen institutional linkages and explore public-private joint ventures for long-term growth.
Both sides agreed to initiate working-level discussions and formal frameworks for energy and mining cooperation in the coming months.
