Wafi Energy launches Shell V-Power fuel in Pakistan
Wafi Energy Pakistan, Shell’s exclusive licensee, has introduced the next generation Shell V-Power fuel in Pakistan, promising enhanced performance, efficiency, and innovation for motorists nationwide.
ISLAMABAD: Wafi Energy Pakistan has launched the latest Shell V-Power fuel in Karachi, marking a new chapter in premium fuel innovation in the country’s automotive sector. The upgraded product, designed with advanced technology to deliver more power and improved engine performance, reflects Shell’s global technical leadership and Wafi Energy’s long-term vision for Pakistan’s energy landscape.
The move underscores Shell’s long history in Pakistan, which began in 1947 with Burmah Shell and later evolved into Shell Pakistan Limited in 1993. Over nearly eight decades, Shell has played a central role in the country’s energy and industrial growth, from supporting large-scale infrastructure projects to introducing sustainable initiatives such as Pakistan’s first retail station built with recycled plastic. The company’s rebranding as Wafi Energy Pakistan follows the 2024 acquisition of an 87.78 percent stake in Shell Pakistan Limited by Saudi-based Wafi Holding, bringing a major Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) investment into the local energy sector.
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At the Karachi launch event on August 25, 2025, representatives highlighted the fuel’s promise of superior performance. A spokesperson from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan called Wafi Energy’s entry “a reflection of the deepening bond between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan,” adding that the company’s efforts could serve as a model for other foreign investors.
Board Director Javaid Akhtar emphasized that the new Shell V-Power is “more than just a fuel launch” but rather “an investment in the country’s mobility future.” He said Wafi Energy is committed to enhancing Pakistan’s fuel quality standards while expanding infrastructure to meet growing consumer demand.
Industry analysts note that Pakistan’s oil marketing sector is undergoing significant transformation as new foreign entrants diversify competition. The arrival of Wafi Energy follows decades of Shell’s dominance in the premium fuels segment, and the new investment is expected to spur growth in high-octane fuels and advanced lubricants, segments increasingly favored by Pakistan’s expanding automotive market.
With a nationwide footprint of more than 600 retail outlets, oil terminal facilities, and a lubricants blending plant, Wafi Energy Pakistan remains one of the largest players in the industry. It also holds a major private stake in the White Oil Pipeline operated by the Pak-Arab Pipeline Company (PAPCO), an asset crucial for transporting petroleum products from Karachi to the central regions of the country. This infrastructure investment strengthens supply security at a time when Pakistan’s demand for refined fuels continues to rise.
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The company’s product portfolio includes globally recognized Shell lubricants such as Helix, Rimula, and Advance. Wafi Energy has indicated that the Shell V-Power launch is only the beginning of a broader strategy that will emphasize technology-driven solutions, sustainability, and community investment. The firm aims to leverage Pakistan’s young population, rapid urbanization, and industrial growth to establish a stronger long-term presence in the market.
The acquisition by Wafi Holding, which also manages Shell-branded retail stations in Saudi Arabia through a separate agreement with Shell Brands International AG, signals the group’s ambition to expand its regional footprint. For Pakistan, the transaction represents one of the largest GCC-led energy investments in recent years and highlights renewed international confidence in the country’s fuel retail sector.
The Shell V-Power brand itself has a long history of positioning as a premium fuel, marketed for its ability to clean engines, reduce friction, and boost efficiency. Globally, Shell has invested in research partnerships with automakers and motorsport teams to refine the product, a legacy that Wafi Energy now seeks to extend to Pakistan. The company has not disclosed pricing strategies for the new V-Power variant, but market observers expect it to target premium vehicle owners willing to pay higher margins for improved performance.
The launch also carries geopolitical weight, as Saudi Arabia’s backing through Wafi Holding strengthens economic ties with Pakistan. Energy trade has been a pillar of the bilateral relationship, with Riyadh historically supplying crude oil and refined products on concessional terms. The latest investment reinforces that link in a more structural, corporate capacity.
Looking forward, Wafi Energy has pledged to invest further in expanding fuel infrastructure, enhancing customer experience, and contributing to sustainable development through community initiatives. Industry experts suggest that if executed effectively, the company’s expansion could reshape the competitive dynamics of Pakistan’s oil marketing sector, historically dominated by local state-owned enterprises and multinational operators.
With the introduction of Shell V-Power, Wafi Energy Pakistan positions itself as both a guardian of Shell’s 78-year legacy in the country and a driver of its next phase of innovation. As Pakistan seeks to modernize its energy sector, the launch symbolizes a strategic convergence of technology, foreign investment, and consumer demand that could define the trajectory of premium fuels in the years ahead.