Pakistan’s refinery crisis explained
NRL CEO Asad Hasan explains refinery upgrade delays, energy risks and the path to Euro-V fuels
Moiz Ur-Rehman
In an exclusive interview with the CEO of National Refinery Limited (NRL), Mr Asad Hasan, we discuss the high-stakes future of Pakistan’s energy security.
Following recent high-level Petroleum Division meetings, the refining sector has been declared a critical strategic asset, but massive structural bottlenecks remain.
In this deep dive, we unpack how the US-Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz tensions are shifting NRL from spot purchases to long-term contracts, and whether diversifying the refinery's 'Crude Slate' with Russian or African grades is technically viable. We also address the multi-billion-dollar question: Will the upcoming 2026–27 budget finally resolve the Sales Tax "exempt vs. zero-rated" issue?
Watch to discover the technical configurations NRL is deploying to solve the "Furnace Oil Problem" via bottom-of-the-barrel processing, how they are protecting Gross Refinery Margins (GRMs) against rising IFEM costs, and the exact timeline for their Final Investment Decision (FID) on Euro-V diesel and gasoline production.





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