PM orders digital overhaul of oil sector

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to implement a modern

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to implement a modern digital monitoring system across Pakistan’s oil and gas sector to improve transparency, eliminate hoarding and curb profiteering.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to review Ogra’s institutional reforms and measures aimed at strengthening the regulator’s performance.

The prime minister said the government was committed to protecting public money and would not allow anyone to exploit consumers or manipulate the country’s energy system for personal gain.

He instructed authorities to accelerate Ogra’s reform process and ensure that the government’s institutional reform agenda was implemented effectively across the organisation.

Shehbaz Sharif also directed officials to develop a comprehensive digital tracking mechanism for fuel movement, using the Federal Board of Revenue’s modern tracking system as a model. He said the system should closely monitor the transportation of petroleum products from ports and refineries to fuel stations across the country.

The prime minister stressed that digital oversight of the entire fuel supply chain would help improve transparency, reduce irregularities and strengthen regulatory enforcement.

To improve Ogra’s institutional capacity, he called for the induction of qualified professionals from the private sector with strong reputations and relevant expertise. He also ordered the restructuring of the authority, saying appointments to all positions should be made through a transparent and merit-based process.

Shehbaz Sharif assured officials that the federal government would provide all necessary professional and technical support to ensure the successful implementation of Ogra’s reform and restructuring programme.

During the meeting, the Ogra chairman briefed participants on the regulator’s current performance, key challenges and the progress of its reform agenda.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s representative Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and other senior government officials.