Trump’s Announcement Sparks Debate on Pakistan’s Oil and Gas Reserves

Islamabad:Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with Pakistan, highlighting the potential for oil and gas reserves in the country. This statement has sparked a debate regarding whether Pakistan indeed possesses significant reserves of oil and gas, or if Trump’s remark was aimed at putting pressure on India.

Economist Ammar Habib Khan, during his appearance on Geo News’ program *Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath*, referenced a 2014 study which revealed that Pakistan has vast reserves of tight gas and shale. This claim was also supported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Ammar Habib further explained that after the shale revolution in the U.S. in 2017, technological advancements have made extracting gas from shale much more cost-effective. He suggested that American companies, with their improved technology, might now look outside the U.S. for investment opportunities, and Pakistan could be a key location where untapped reserves are waiting to be exploited.

He added that Pakistani companies have already been working on the tight gas reserves, and the potential for development is substantial. “While major oil and gas companies previously left Pakistan, it’s possible that U.S. companies may now return,” he said.

Regarding the Reko Diq project, Ammar Habib Khan mentioned that copper production has already started, and the company involved in the project has secured further agreements for refining copper in the future.

This new focus on Pakistan’s energy resources could open up significant opportunities for both local and international investors, particularly American firms, to tap into Pakistan’s untapped oil and gas reserves.