Pakistan is considering expanding oil and gas imports from Russia as concerns over the Strait of Hormuz deepen, highlighting the country's vulnerability to external energy shocks and its search for alternative supply routes amid growing uncertainty in global energy markets.
The assessment was outlined by Pakistan's ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, who said the ongoing crisis surrounding the strategically important waterway has heightened concerns about Pakistan's energy security. The development comes as Islamabad reviews options to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers in the Gulf region.
According to the envoy, Pakistan currently produces only around 10 percent of its energy requirements domestically, leaving the country heavily reliant on imported fuel to meet demand. Most of these imports originate from Gulf states, making any disruption in regional shipping routes a significant concern for the national economy.
Tirmizi noted that instability in the Strait of Hormuz has created serious risks for energy supply chains. As a result, policymakers are evaluating alternative arrangements, including the possibility of increasing energy trade with Russia.
The ambassador said Pakistan is exploring broader cooperation with Moscow in the energy sector and is also considering future discussions on pipeline projects linking Russia and Turkmenistan with South Asia. Such initiatives, he suggested, fit into a wider vision of regional integration centred on transport connectivity, energy collaboration and educational exchanges across Eurasia.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a focal point of international concern because of its role in global energy transportation. Tirmizi observed that negotiations involving Iran are now increasingly focused on reopening and securing the passage, an issue that has moved to the forefront of diplomatic discussions.
He emphasised the strategic significance of the route, noting that approximately 22 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow maritime corridor. Any prolonged disruption, he warned, could have substantial consequences for international energy markets and supply networks.
Beyond its implications for fuel trade, the envoy highlighted the broader economic and social stakes associated with regional instability. Millions of migrant workers living in Gulf countries depend on stable conditions in the region, making the uninterrupted functioning of key transport and energy routes a matter of wider economic importance.
Tirmizi expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would lead to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. He stressed that preserving access to vital energy corridors remains essential not only for regional stability but also for global economic security.
The prospect of greater Russian energy imports reflects Pakistan's effort to strengthen energy resilience at a time when geopolitical tensions are exposing the risks associated with concentrated supply sources and critical maritime chokepoints.