Saudi Aramco all set to open fuel station in Karachi

Saudi Aramco, the global oil and gas giant, is all set to launch fuel station in Pakistan's business hub Karachi.

The fuel station is likely to be opened in city's Gulistan-e-Johar area.

The group inaugurated its first branded retail gas station in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on October 29, 2024, marking a significant milestone in its downstream expansion strategy.

The launch follows Aramco’s acquisition of a 40% stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd. (GO), one of Pakistan’s largest petroleum retail and storage companies. 

“This is another milestone in Aramco’s downstream growth story, as we launch the first Aramco station in Pakistan — a market with significant growth potential,” said Yasser M. Mufti, Aramco’s executive vice president of products and customers.

“Our values of excellence, innovation, and community partnerships will guide us as we ensure reliable supplies to customers while introducing our world-class retail offerings.”

GO CEO Khalid Riaz highlighted the partnership's ambition to redefine Pakistan's fuel retail sector. "Together with Aramco, we aim to elevate the retail fuel landscape in Pakistan, setting new benchmarks for quality, service, and customer satisfaction," he said.

Aramco’s entry into Pakistan comes as part of a broader strategy to expand its retail network globally. GO, which operates over 1,200 fuel retail stations across Pakistan, is expected to play a critical role in achieving this vision.

The launch also underscores the strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which extend across trade, defense, and cultural sectors.

The Kingdom hosts over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and is a major source of remittances.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has pledged significant investments in Pakistan, including a $10 billion Aramco oil refinery and a $1 billion petrochemical complex at Gwadar Port, as part of agreements signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's 2019 visit to Islamabad.

Additionally, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to a $5 billion investment package for Pakistan earlier this year.

Aramco’s Lahore station is the first step in what is expected to be an expansive retail network across Pakistan, reflecting the company’s confidence in the nation’s economic growth potential.