Trump's Optimistic Claim Meets Reality

US President Donald Trump's recent suggestion that Pakistan could one day sell oil to India has been met with skepticism, notably from Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises. Goenka likened the possibility to a tailender hitting a triple century in a T20 match, stating it's more likely to happen in the movie 'Lagaan' than in real life.

Trump announced a deal with Pakistan to develop its oil reserves, suggesting future exports to India. However, the reality of Pakistan's oil reserves paints a different picture.

The Reality of Pakistan's Oil Reserves

Pakistan's proven crude oil reserves are between 234 million and 353 million barrels, ranking it 50th globally. In contrast, Venezuela leads with 303,221 million barrels, and India's reserves are over ten times that of Pakistan.

Despite claims of potential reserves along its coastline, Pakistan has yet to confirm these through commercial drilling. The country remains a significant importer of petroleum, with a bill of $11.3 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

Challenges and Prospects

Pakistan's search for foreign investment to explore and develop its potential oil resources continues. Previous exploration efforts, like the Kekra-1 drilling, have not yielded success. The structural geology of the Indus Basin offers hope, but without successful extraction, Pakistan's position in the global oil market remains marginal.