Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Friday that the government would provide full support to the initiative, describing the vessel’s arrival as a milestone in bilateral energy cooperation.
“This is a special moment for Pakistan-Türkiye friendship. I will try to personally receive the vessel upon its arrival in Karachi,” Malik said, according to The News.
The minister chaired a high-level meeting to review operational, logistical, maritime and security arrangements for the arrival of the vessel, operated by the Turkish Petroleum Offshore Company (TPOC), and the launch of the exploration campaign.
Malik assured the Turkish delegation of Pakistan’s full cooperation, saying the two countries would work together to achieve a landmark success.
The Petroleum Division and relevant government departments were directed to coordinate closely to ensure the necessary arrangements are completed on time and the vessel can operate smoothly.
The project is expected to revive Pakistan’s largely inactive offshore exploration sector, which has struggled to attract sustained investment despite the country’s significant untapped offshore oil and gas potential.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Petroleum Division, TPOC and state-owned energy companies, including the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Government Holdings (Private) Limited.
Representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, maritime affairs, defence and interior also participated, along with officials from the National Hydrographic Office, Board of Investment and Directorate General of Ports and Shipping.
The Turkish project manager appreciated the support provided by Pakistani authorities and expressed confidence in the exploration initiative.
The vessel’s arrival is expected to mark a new phase in Pakistan’s offshore energy exploration and strengthen energy cooperation between Islamabad and Ankara.
