Cnergyico Pk Limited

Energising Pakistan’s Economy CNERGYICO

POWERING PAKISTAN’S ENERGY FUTURE

Saad Riaz Khamisani on Strategic Procurement, Resilience, and Transformation at Cnergyico Pk Limited

As Pakistan’s largest vertically integrated refinery and one of the few energy companies with a nationwide retail footprint, Cnergyico Pk Limited sits at the centre of the country’s fuel supply, energy security, and industrial modernisation. Behind this complex ecosystem is a procurement function that not only supports operations, but actively shapes the company’s ability to remain agile, competitive, and future-ready.

In this Executive Insight,Saad Khamisani, Head of Procurement at Cnergyico Pk Limited, reflects on nearly two decades spent navigating the full spectrum of Pakistan’s energy supply chain, from upstream operations to refining, logistics, and retail distribution. He shares how strategic sourcing, supplier diversification, regulatory alignment, and digital transformation are driving operational excellence across the refinery and its vast network.

From managing the import of U.S. crude and expanding fuel oil exports, to strengthening local supplier capability and embedding sustainability into sourcing decisions, his perspective offers a comprehensive look at how procurement is transforming into a strategic engine behind Cnergyico’s growth and long-term resilience.

Career Journey & Procurement in Energy

Can you share your personal journey into procurement, and what led you to take on the role of Head of Procurement at Cnergyico Pk Limited? Which experiences have most shaped your leadership style in the energy and oil refining sectors?

My journey into procurement began almost two decades ago with a fascination for how strategic sourcing can shape the efficiency and profitability of an entire enterprise. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations in Pakistan’s energy sector, experiences that gave me a deep understanding of both the technical and commercial sides of the business. Joining Cnergyico Pk Limited was a natural progression. The company’s scale and ambition, especially its focus on modernisation and integration, aligned perfectly with my passion for transforming procurement from a transactional function into a strategic enabler. My leadership style has been shaped by lessons learned during high-value negotiations, complex EPCC projects, and international collaborations, where resilience, transparency, and relationship management became the foundation of successful outcomes.

Procurement’s Role in Operational Excellence

Given Cnergyico is a vertically integrated refinery with a large retail footprint, how does your procurement strategy contribute to ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and high reliability across both refining and distribution?

At Cnergyico, procurement is not merely about acquiring goods and services, it’s about ensuring operational continuity, safety, and reliability across our refining, logistics, and retail operations. We’ve built a procurement model that integrates tightly with our production and maintenance planning functions. This ensures every sourcing decision contributes directly to uptime and efficiency. Our focus is on preemptive planning, supplier risk mapping, and contract governance so that materials and services are available when needed, without compromising on safety or compliance. By embedding procurement within the company’s core operational strategy, we’ve created a system that supports both refinery optimisation and network reliability, making procurement a key driver of operational excellence rather than just a cost center.

Supply Chain Resilience & Diversification

Cnergyico has recently begun importing US crude and expanding exports of fuel oil due to domestic demand challenges. How are you managing the risks of supply chain disruptions, and what role does supplier diversification play in your strategy?

Recent shifts in global energy dynamics, such as the import of U.S. crude and the export of fuel oil, have made supply chain resilience a top priority. At Cnergyico, we’ve diversified our supplier and logistics base to ensure flexibility against geopolitical and market disruptions. We evaluate multiple sourcing corridors, including GCC, U.S., and East Asian suppliers, to manage risk exposure. In parallel, we emphasise long-term relationships with key partners who can adapt with us through market cycles. Technology also plays a major role, real-time data visibility and forecasting tools help us anticipate bottlenecks and make proactive adjustments. The goal is to ensure that despite volatility, Cnergyico’s operations remain steady, reliable, and agile.

“At Cnergyico, procurement is not merely about acquiring goods and services, it’s about ensuring operational continuity, safety, and reliability across our refining, logistics, and retail operations”

Regulatory & Policy Influences

With the evolving Brownfield Oil Refining Policy and regulatory reforms in Pakistan, how does government policy affect your procurement decisions, especially for upgrades, capacity expansion, and environmental compliance?

Government policies, particularly the evolving Brownfield Oil Refining Policy, have a direct impact on procurement strategies. These policies influence how we structure long-term contracts, plan upgrade projects, and align with environmental standards. At Cnergyico, our approach is proactive: we engage with regulators early, interpret policy changes quickly, and align our sourcing strategy to take advantage of incentives while maintaining compliance. For example, in capacity expansion and energy efficiency projects, we work closely with suppliers who understand Pakistan’s regulatory framework and can ensure that imported technologies meet both national and international environmental benchmarks. The result is a procurement function that not only follows policy but helps the company stay ahead of it.

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Sustainability and Cleaner Fuels

Cnergyico is investing in producing cleaner fuels and reducing environmental impact. How do you ensure your supplier and vendor base aligns with your sustainability goals? What criteria or certifications are most important in partner selection?

Sustainability has become integral to every procurement decision we make. Cnergyico’s drive toward producing cleaner fuels means our vendor base must share our commitment to environmental stewardship. We evaluate partners not just on cost and capability, but also on their ESG performance, certifications such as ISO 14001, and adherence to responsible sourcing practices. We actively prefer suppliers who invest in cleaner technologies and have transparent emissions reporting. Beyond compliance, we encourage collaboration, engaging suppliers in co-developing more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions. The goal is to create a responsible supply chain that reflects our vision of a more sustainable refining ecosystem.

Technology & Innovation in Procurement

How is Cnergyico leveraging technology, such as digital systems, analytics, or supply chain visibility tools, to improve procurement efficiency, supplier performance, or forecasting accuracy?

Digital transformation has redefined how procurement operates at Cnergyico. We’ve integrated digital procurement platforms and analytics tools that provide visibility into spend, supplier performance, and lead times. By leveraging data, we can identify trends, anticipate shortages, and improve forecast accuracy. Automation has streamlined approval processes and contract lifecycle management, freeing our teams to focus on strategic initiatives. We are also exploring AI-driven analytics for supplier risk assessment and benchmarking. The combination of technology and datadriven decision-making has made procurement faster, smarter, and more accountable, turning it into a core driver of innovation within the company.

Cost Pressures & Margin Management

The company has experienced volatile refining margins, rising costs of sales, and inflation. How do you balance cost pressures with maintaining quality and supply continuity in your procurement operations?

Volatile refining margins are a constant reality in our industry. To manage cost pressures while maintaining quality and continuity, we focus on total cost of ownership rather than just purchase price. Strategic negotiations, long-term supplier partnerships, and framework agreements allow us to secure better value and pricing stability. We also leverage data to identify cost-saving opportunities through demand optimisation, improved inventory turns, and local sourcing where feasible. At the same time, we maintain a zero-compromise policy on safety and quality, because in refining operations, cost efficiency is meaningless without reliability. The balance lies in smart sourcing decisions supported by transparency and long-term thinking.

Inventory, Storage & Terminal Strategy

With your refining integration and growing retail network, how do you approach inventory management, storage terminal optimisation, and logistics to ensure product availability and minimise losses?

Managing inventory in an integrated refinery-retail network is about precision and agility. We utilise demand forecasting and consumption analytics to maintain optimal stock levels across terminals, depots, and the refinery. Our strategy combines centralised visibility with local responsiveness, ensuring that supply flows smoothly to the retail end without overstocking or product loss. We also focus on minimising demurrages and optimising storage utilisation by aligning import schedules with production and distribution cycles. The ultimate goal is to ensure product availability across the network, even during supply fluctuations, while keeping working capital efficient.

Supplier Relationships & Localisation

In Pakistan, local supplier capacity and regulatory compliance are key considerations. How do you manage supplier development, quality assurance, and collaboration, especially between local and international partners?

Pakistan’s supplier ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and at Cnergyico we see ourselves as partners in that journey. We invest time in supplier development, mentoring local vendors on compliance, safety, and quality standards so they can meet international expectations. At the same time, we maintain close collaboration with global suppliers to bring advanced technologies and expertise into the country. This hybrid model, fostering local capacity while leveraging international partnerships, helps strengthen the national supply base and ensures that Cnergyico’s procurement aligns with both local content goals and global best practices.

Future Trends & Strategic Sourcing

Looking ahead, what trends, such as cleaner technology, energy transition, emissions standards, or renewable inputs, do you see most impacting procurement in the refining sector over the next decade? How is Cnergyico preparing to adapt?

The next decade will redefine procurement in refining. Cleaner fuels, digital transformation, emissions standards, and the integration of renewables will dominate the landscape. We’re already seeing procurement evolve toward lifecycle thinking, where supplier partnerships, technology adoption, and sustainability go hand in hand. At Cnergyico, we’re preparing by aligning sourcing strategies with future regulatory trends and exploring materials and technologies that support decarbonisation. My belief is that procurement will increasingly become the bridge between innovation and implementation, where every sourcing decision contributes to a cleaner, more efficient energy ecosystem.

Cnergyico Pk Limited is Pakistan’s largest vertically integrated oil refining company, operating the country’s highest-capacity refinery and a wide-reaching petroleum distribution network. With core operations covering crude-oil refining, fuel marketing, logistics and infrastructure, including the nation’s only deep-sea Single Point Mooring terminal, Cnergyico supplies a full range of refined products to meet domestic energy needs. The company is committed to efficiency, energy security and sustainable growth while expanding its retail footprint across Pakistan.