Pakistanis welcome Aramco’s new Islamabad outlet, anticipating quality fuel and services

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Updated 04 November 2024
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Pakistanis welcome Aramco’s new Islamabad outlet, anticipating quality fuel and services

Pakistanis welcome Aramco’s new Islamabad outlet, anticipating quality fuel and services
  • The Saudi oil giant opened its second outlet in Islamabad last week following the inauguration of the first in Lahore on Oct. 29
  • In collaboration with Pakistan’s GO, Aramco aims to expand its retail network and establish a foothold in Pakistan’s growing economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis in Islamabad on Monday hailed the opening of Aramco’s branded retail petrol station as a valuable addition to the capital’s oil marketing landscape, expressing hopes for high-quality fuel and services from the Saudi oil giant.
This is Aramco’s second retail outlet in Pakistan, following the opening of its first station in Lahore on October 29 after the global oil giant acquired a 40 percent stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd, commonly known as GO Petroleum. 
According to a statement shared last week by Corporate and Marketing Communications (CMC), which manages public relations for GO and Aramco in Pakistan, Aramco-branded stations in Pakistan will offer premium fuel, high-quality lubricants, professional automotive services, and modern convenience stores, aiming to deliver a seamless customer experience.
The Saudi oil giant’s Islamabad outlet is located on Ataturk Avenue in the Pakistani capital, which is being frequented by a large number of customers anticipating quality fuel supply and services.
“This is a great addition to Islamabad. I hope that this global oil giant will focus on providing quality oil products, along with ensuring top-notch service and accurate fuel measurements,” Muhammad Asim, a Pakistani government employee, told Arab News, while filling up at the newly opened station.
“Looking forward to seeing the positive impact it brings to the city.” 




An employee manages vehicles at an Aramco-branded retail petrol station in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 4, 2024. (AN photo)

Aramco is a global integrated energy and chemicals company that produces approximately one in every eight barrels of the world’s oil supply. GO, one of Pakistan’s largest retail and storage companies, is involved in the procurement, storage, sale and marketing of petroleum products and lubricants.
Together with GO, which has a network of over 1,200 fuel retail stations in Pakistan, Aramco plans to expand its retail network and establish a presence in the fast-growing Pakistani economy.
“Having Aramco in Pakistan is exciting,” said Sara Ahmed, a local business owner. “It raises the bar for fuel quality and customer service.”
She hoped that the Saudi company would set new standards in fuel quality and customer care, something that had been needed in Pakistan for quite some time.
Another customer, Ali Asghar, said Aramco is a renowned name globally and hoped the company would uphold its international standards in Pakistan.
“We need reputable global companies like this, not only to provide quality products but also to encourage competition among other companies, ultimately benefiting customers,” he told Arab News. 
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense, and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top source of remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian nation.
In February 2019, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia inked investment deals totaling $21 billion during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Islamabad. The agreements included about $10 billion for an Aramco oil refinery and $1 billion for a petrochemical complex at the strategic Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
Islamabad and Riyadh have also been working in recent months to increase bilateral trade and investment, and the Kingdom this year reaffirmed its commitment to expedite an investment package worth $5 billion for Pakistan. Both countries last month signed $2.2 billion in agreements and memorandums of understanding during the visit of a high-level business delegation, led by Saudi Minister for Investment Khalid Al-Falih.


Zunaira Qayyum, teen from impoverished Pakistani province, champions girls’ education globally

Zunaira Qayyum, teen from impoverished Pakistani province, champions girls’ education globally
Updated 11 sec ago
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Zunaira Qayyum, teen from impoverished Pakistani province, champions girls’ education globally

Zunaira Qayyum, teen from impoverished Pakistani province, champions girls’ education globally
  • Qayyum was announced as ‘Youth Advocate for Girls’ Empowerment and Climate Action’ by UNICEF this month
  • 14-year-old has been advocating for girls education in Balochistan, with one of the world’s lowest female literacy rates 

HUB, PAKISTAN: Fourteen-year-old Zunaira Qayyum stepped out of an auto-rickshaw one weekday morning earlier this month, adjusting her white and green scarf as she entered the Global Islamic Public High School in the heart of Hub, a small town in Pakistan’s impoverished Balochistan province.

Qayyum is no regular ninth grader. She is a climate champion and an advocate for girls’ education from one of Pakistan’s most underdeveloped regions who was last week announced as a ‘Youth Advocate for Girls’ Empowerment and Climate Action’ by UNICEF, the UN’s humanitarian and developmental aid agency for children.

The eldest of four siblings, Qayyum’s journey to global recognition began after she conducted research in 2022 for a UNICEF Policy Research Challenge (PRC) that aimed to examine how climate-induced floods and heatwaves had disrupted girls’ education in her hometown of Hub. Her findings were among the winning entries in the challenge.

“Coming from a small area, a small village named Zehri, coming from there to the world stage was not an easy task for me but still I never gave up on my dreams and followed them,” Qayyum told Arab News in an interview. 

Women’s education figures are dismal for Balochistan, which has one of the lowest female literacy rates in the world. Many girls in the province drop out of school in grades four and five. Poverty, limited school numbers, and poor school infrastructure contribute to low literacy rates, as do long distances between homes and schools. Security challenges in the insurgency-wracked province and cultural barriers also limit access to education for girls. 

These existing challenges were exacerbated in 2022 when catastrophic floods submerged a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people, affecting over 33 million people, and inflicting around $30 billion in damages and economic losses. Nearly 27,000 schools were damaged across Pakistan, leaving two million children without access to education, according to UNICEF. Balochistan was one of the worst hit areas. 

In 2024 alone, climate-induced hazards disrupted schooling for more than 2.6 million children in Pakistan, one of the most vulnerable nations globally to climate change, with recurring floods, droughts and heatwaves.

Balochistan, which makes up 43 percent of Pakistan’s total landmass, lags behind other provinces in nearly all development indicators, including literacy and girls’ education, while the 2022 floods damaged more than 3,000 schools in the province.

“Flood-induced damages in 2022 really disturbed the education sector in Hub, like the re-scheduling of students, schools were destroyed due to floods. Particularly in rural areas of Hub, schooling was resumed in huts and students got disturbed,” Qayyum said.

She has since been focusing her research and advocacy on the destruction of girls’ schools in Hub and their rehabilitation, work that has taken her to global platforms like the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024.

“COP29 experience was very interesting because I saw so many people who were passionate about climate change coming from different areas and countries,” she said. “I met many international and national leaders there, which was very motivating for me.”

Abdul Raziq, the principal of Qayyum’s school, was all praise for her “dedication and maturity.”

“When UNICEF named Zunaira as their Youth Advocate, it was a moment of pride for her parents, teachers and schoolmates,” he told Arab News. “I believe if we provide a platform to our girls, they can perform better in all fields.”

The UNICEF representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, stressed the importance of youth advocacy in tackling climate change and empowering marginalized segments in a country like Pakistan. 

“The climate crisis poses one of the biggest challenges we have ever faced, but when I listen to Zunaira and the children of Pakistan, I find hope and inspiration for the future,” he said in a statement, following Qayyum’s appointment.

“We must do more to empower children and young people with opportunities to lead, act, and help this country prosper.”

Qayyum says working for organizations like UNICEF provided a “beacon of hope” to drive change in society, urging the people of Balochistan to better equip their daughters for a sustainable future.

“So, this is my message to the Baloch people, all of Balochistan,” Qayyum said. “They should educate their daughters.”


Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024

Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024
Updated 24 min 17 sec ago
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Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024

Saudi Wafi Energy Pakistan reports $11.8 million profit for 2024
  • The company became the majority shareholder of Shell Pakistan Limited in November 2024
  • It has formed a partnership in Thar Coal Project following a win in Saindak mining project

ISLAMABAD: Saudi company Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited has announced its financial results for 2024, reporting a profit of Rs3.3 billion ($11.8 million), according to a statement from the group on Thursday.
Wafi Energy, an affiliate of the Asyad Group, became the majority shareholder of Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) in November last year and now holds approximately 87.78% of the total issued share capital of SPL. However, the Shell brand will remain in Pakistan through retail and brand licensing agreements, with SPL as the exclusive brand licensee.
The financials of the company for the year ending December 2024 were announced by its board of directors.
“The company reported a profit after tax of Rs3.3 billion for 2024 compared to a profit of Rs5.8 billion [$20.7 million] in 2023,” the company said. “It is important to note that the 2023 results included a one-time income of PKR10.7 billion [$38.3 million] related to the waiver of Shell Group liabilities.”
The company highlighted that it increased its market share with Helix and Advance Lubricants and formed a partnership in the Thar Coal Project following a win in the Saindak Gold and Copper mining project.
“The mobility business also made significant strides, expanding its network by introducing 16 new sites and rebuilding nine existing ones,” the statement added. “The convenience retail business demonstrated strong growth, with a 28% year-on-year increase.”
SPL is one of the oldest multinationals in Pakistan, with a network of over 600 sites, countrywide storage facilities and a broad portfolio of global lubricant brands.
Shell has supported Pakistan’s development by providing energy for major projects like Mangla Dam and Kotri Barrage, powering Pakistan International Airlines’ first flights, expanding road infrastructure and fostering innovation among local entrepreneurs.


Pakistan team departs for Dubai ahead of Champions Trophy fixture against India on Sunday

Pakistan team departs for Dubai ahead of Champions Trophy fixture against India on Sunday
Updated 47 min 54 sec ago
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Pakistan team departs for Dubai ahead of Champions Trophy fixture against India on Sunday

Pakistan team departs for Dubai ahead of Champions Trophy fixture against India on Sunday
  • Pakistan have suffered a 60-run defeat to New Zealand, making their next contest even more crucial
  • The team will play their final group match against Bangladesh on February 27 scheduled in Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket team has departed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to face arch-rivals India in a highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match on Feb. 23, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday.
Pakistan suffered a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in their opening match of the tournament in Karachi, making their next contest even more crucial.
“National squad departs from Karachi to Dubai,” the PCB said in a statement. “The Pakistan cricket team will play a match against India on February 23.”


The statement added the Pakistan squad will have a practice session in Dubai tomorrow.
After facing India in Dubai, Pakistan’s next group match will be against Bangladesh on Feb. 27 in Rawalpindi.
The eight-team tournament will continue till March 9. Pakistan entered the contest as the defending champions, having beaten India in the final of the championship’s 2017 edition.
The participating teams have been divided into two groups with hosts Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and New Zealand pooled in Group A while Group B comprises Afghanistan, current ODI World Cup champions Australia, England and South Africa.


Pakistan, Türkiye conclude joint military exercise ‘Ataturk-XIII’ to bolster defense ties

Pakistan, Türkiye conclude joint military exercise ‘Ataturk-XIII’ to bolster defense ties
Updated 20 February 2025
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Pakistan, Türkiye conclude joint military exercise ‘Ataturk-XIII’ to bolster defense ties

Pakistan, Türkiye conclude joint military exercise ‘Ataturk-XIII’ to bolster defense ties
  • The exercise reached its culmination days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Pakistan
  • Both countries have a longstanding defense partnership, with Türkiye modernizing Pakistan’s submarines

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye concluded their two-week joint military exercise, “Ataturk-XIII,” on Thursday, highlighting the deepening defense cooperation between the two nations, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The exercise, which began on February 10 at Pakistan’s Special Operations School in Cherat, involved two combat teams from Pakistan’s Special Services Group and 36 personnel from Türkiye’s Special Forces.
The closing ceremony was attended by Commander 11 Corps as the chief guest, with Brig. Gen. Ahmet Asik from Türkiye also in attendance.
“The exercise was aimed at refining professional skills through joint training besides harnessing the historic military-to-military relations among the friendly countries,” the ISPR said. “Participating troops benefited immensely from joint training/exercise.”

Pakistan’s Commander 11 Corps Lt. Gen. Syed Omer Ahmed Bokhari addresses participating troops from Pakistan and Türkiye as they conclude joint military exercise “Ataturk-XIII” at the Special Operations School in Cherat, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

The collaboration comes days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan on February 13, during which both countries signed 24 agreements to bolster economic and defense ties. The leaders agreed to elevate bilateral trade to $5 billion annually, reflecting a commitment to strengthen relations across various sectors.

Military officials review participating troops from Pakistan and Türkiye during the joint military exercise “Ataturk-XIII” at the Special Operations School in Cherat, Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)

Pakistan and Türkiye also enjoy a longstanding defense partnership. Notably, Türkiye has been involved in modernizing Pakistan’s submarine fleet, including the upgrade of Agosta 90B-class submarines, enhancing the South Asian nation’s maritime capabilities.
The recent exercise focused on counterterrorism operations and took place amid a surge in militant violence in Pakistan. Islamabad has been actively seeking to enhance international collaboration to effectively address these security challenges.


Pakistan’s finance chief admits privatization setbacks, vows to carry it out

Pakistan’s finance chief admits privatization setbacks, vows to carry it out
Updated 20 February 2025
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Pakistan’s finance chief admits privatization setbacks, vows to carry it out

Pakistan’s finance chief admits privatization setbacks, vows to carry it out
  • Muhammad Aurangzeb says the government wants to reestablish Pakistan as a ‘bankable brand’
  • He says it is important for the country to restore people’s trust in the Pakistani tax authorities

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb acknowledged on Thursday Pakistan’s privatization efforts have encountered setbacks, notably a failed attempt to sell the national airline last year, though he affirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the privatization agenda.
Speaking at an economic conference in Islamabad, Aurangzeb addressed the difficulties faced in divesting state-owned enterprises (SOEs), a key component of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) structural reform requirements.
The privatization initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of loss-making SOEs on the national economy. Last October, the sought to sell Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after multiple delays in the bidding process.
The final round attracted only one bid from real estate developer Blue World City, offering Rs10 billion ($36 million) for a 60 percent stake — substantially below the government’s minimum price of Rs85 billion. Consequently, the privatization ministry rejected the offer, citing non-compliance with financial expectations.
“We have faced hiccups while doing privatization,” Aurangzeb said. “PIA is getting to be relaunched. But we are very determined to take this forward.”
The government anticipates that PIA privatization prospects will improve following the resumption of flights to Europe in January 2025. PIA’s operations to the European Union were suspended in June 2020 due to safety concerns after a crash in Karachi, resulting in a four-and-a-half-year ban.
The minister emphasized the government’s stance on limiting its role in commercial enterprises, advocating for private sector leadership in economic activities.
“The private sector has to lead the country,” he asserted. “The government must be there to provide policy framework and policy continuity.”
Aurangzeb outlined the administration’s vision to reestablish Pakistan as a “bankable brand,” necessitating comprehensive structural reforms currently underway. These reforms include measures to control public expenditure and expedite the rightsizing of government operations.
He highlighted significant transformations in the taxation system, focusing on digitization to incorporate all businesses into an equitable tax framework.
“It is very important that we restore the trust in the tax authorities,” he noted.