PAKISTAN shares a 900-kilometre border with one of the world’s largest energy endowments: 208 billion barrels of proven oil — about 12 per cent of global reserves, the third largest in the world — and nearly 1,200 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the second largest after Russia. Combined, this resource base carries an estimated market value of around $20 trillion.

The 900-km border is the most under-traded, under-piped, under-utilised asset Pakistan has. What can move across it? One: crude oil — 8–10 million tonnes a year, worth $4–6 billion. Two: diesel, petrol, furnace oil — $2–3 billion. Three: LPG, ethane, naphtha — $1–2 billion. Four: fertilizer and downstream chemicals — $1–2 billion. Five: cross-border electricity — 1,000–2,000 MW, worth $1–1.5 billion. Total tradable energy basket: $9–14 billion a year.

Red alert: Pakistan’s most valuable corridor is not blocked by geography—it is blocked by policy. What can be piped? Natural gas — 750 to 1,000 mmcfd through the........

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