Saifur Rehman calls for modern refineries, advanced drilling techniques and greater investment to cut petroleum imports and ease pressure on Pakistan’s economy.

LAHORE, October 25, 2026: Saifur Rehman, Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), has stressed the need to increase domestic oil and gas production and modernise refineries to reduce Pakistan’s reliance on energy imports.

Speaking to a delegation of petroleum dealers on Sunday, he said encouraging domestic and foreign investment in new refineries and upgrading existing facilities could help save foreign exchange, stabilise energy costs and strengthen the national economy.

Rehman said Pakistan has approximately 124 million barrels of remaining oil reserves across nine oil fields, while 28 gas fields hold an estimated 13.5 trillion cubic feet of remaining reserves.

He highlighted the potential to increase production through modern drilling technologies, horizontal wells and hydraulic fracturing.

Pakistan currently produces around 68,000 barrels of oil and 2.9 billion cubic feet of gas daily, meeting approximately 16 per cent of domestic oil demand and 71 per cent of gas demand, according to Rehman.

He said higher domestic crude oil production would enable refineries to utilise locally available resources, reduce dependence on imported crude and lower the country’s petroleum import bill.

Rehman added that expanding refining capacity and boosting local energy production could also stimulate industrial activity, create employment opportunities and encourage further investment.

He emphasised that developing indigenous energy resources would help Pakistan move towards greater self-sufficiency while reducing pressure on its foreign exchange reserves and the wider economy.