Wafi Energy announces new Board

KARACHI: Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited has announced the election of its Board of Directors, including two new members, following an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Karachi. The new Board will assume office from June 13, 2026.
The Board comprises Ghassan Al-Amoudi, Javaid Akhtar, Kai-Uwe Witterstein, Hans-Christoph Bausch and Badaruddin Vellani as Non-Executive Directors; Zaffar Khan, Amir Paracha, Dr. Ayesha Khan and Waheed Shaikh as Independent Directors; and Zubair Shaikh and Habib Haider as Executive Directors.
Chairperson Ghassan Al-Amoudi thanked shareholders for their continued confidence, stating that the Board remains focused on building the company and creating long-term value for both shareholders and Pakistan.
Welcoming the new members, Al-Amoudi said Waheed Shaikh’s extensive experience across Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s energy sector would add significant depth to the Board’s strategic direction. He noted that Shaikh’s return to the company marked a full-circle moment in his career. He also highlighted Habib Haider’s deep operational expertise, particularly in the downstream and retail segments, as a valuable addition.
The Chairperson also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing directors Imran Ibrahim and Parvez Ghias, praising their leadership and role during a transformative period, including the transition from Shell Pakistan to Wafi Energy Pakistan.
Waheed A. Shaikh brings over 40 years of experience in the downstream petroleum industry across Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He currently serves as Advisor to the Board of Petrolube Saudi Arabia and has previously held board positions at Pakistan State Oil. His career includes leading the acquisition and transformation of Petromin Corporation and serving as Chief Operating Officer of the Al-Dabbagh Group. He began his professional journey at Pakistan International Airlines before moving into the petroleum sector with Pakistan Burmah Shell and later Shell Pakistan Limited.
Habib Haider has nearly three decades of experience in Pakistan’s oil marketing sector. Having joined Shell Pakistan in 1996, he currently serves as Director Retail at Wafi Energy Pakistan. His experience spans corporate relations, finance, supply chain, sales, marketing, and strategic planning, including engagement with government and regulatory bodies.
The re-elected Board members bring a diverse mix of international expertise in energy, finance, and industry. Ghassan Al-Amoudi is CEO of Asyad Holding Group with over 30 years in the financial sector. Javaid Akhtar heads Retail at Asyad Holding and has extensive experience in corporate finance and investment. Kai-Uwe Witterstein spent 31 years with Shell and is currently CEO of Wafi Holding, Abu Dhabi. Hans-Christoph Bausch is Founder and Managing Director of Althea Consulting Partners with over three decades of experience in energy finance and strategy. Badaruddin Vellani is a Senior Partner at Vellani & Vellani and an Advocate of the Supreme Court.
Among independent directors, Zaffar A. Khan, a Sitara-e-Imtiaz recipient, has served as CEO of Engro Corporation and held leadership roles at PTCL, KSE, and PIA. Amir Paracha is Chairman and CEO of Unilever Pakistan and a recipient of the Shan-e-Pakistan Award. Dr. Ayesha Khan is Regional Managing Director of Acumen Pakistan with extensive experience in climate finance and corporate strategy.
Zubair Shaikh, CEO of Wafi Energy Pakistan and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, joined Shell Pakistan in 2006 and has led key business segments including lubricants and retail.
Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited, majority owned by Wafi Energy Holding Limited, is the licensee for Shell fuels and lubricants in Pakistan. The company entered the Pakistani market in 2024 after Wafi Holding acquired an 87.78 percent stake in Shell Pakistan Limited, marking a significant GCC investment in the country’s energy sector.
The company operates over 680 Shell-branded retail sites, oil terminal facilities, and a lubricants blending plant, and markets global brands including Helix, Rimula and Advance. It is also the largest private investor in the White Oil Pipeline operated by Pak-Arab Pipeline Company (PAPCO).
With a legacy dating back to 1947, Wafi Energy Pakistan continues to play a key role in strengthening Pakistan’s energy infrastructure and supporting industrial growth.