Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant ministries and government institutions to accelerate OGRA reforms by implementing legal, administrative, and policy measures on a priority basis. The directive came during a high-level meeting focused on strengthening the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and improving its institutional capacity.
During the meeting, the OGRA chairman presented a detailed briefing on the regulator’s current performance, operational challenges, and a comprehensive reform programme. Officials informed the prime minister that significant progress had been made in digitally monitoring Pakistan’s oil supply chain from ports to petrol pumps.
The meeting was told that several digital platforms are now operational, including the National Monitoring Dashboard, Tanker Track and Trace System, Depot-Tank Telemetry, Rahguzar Mobile App, Digital Sales Entry System at petrol pumps, and the Central Monitoring Cell. These systems are designed to improve transparency and strengthen oversight of petroleum movement, storage, and sales.
Officials also informed participants that a data-driven campaign conducted during July 2026 identified multiple cases of fuel hoarding, supply disruptions, and regulatory violations. Authorities have initiated show-cause notices, sought explanations from those involved, and launched legal proceedings where necessary.
The proposed OGRA reforms also include complete digitalisation, restructuring of the enforcement mechanism, establishment of a dedicated compliance wing, improvements in the licensing process, stronger legal management, enhanced financial resources, and reorganisation of the authority’s institutional structure.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister directed officials to adopt modern technology for monitoring fuel transportation nationwide, taking the Federal Board of Revenue’s digital tracking system as a model. He also called for the recruitment of qualified private-sector experts through a transparent, merit-based process to strengthen OGRA’s professional capacity.
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that uninterrupted fuel supplies and fair pricing remain top government priorities. He directed authorities to fully activate digital monitoring systems, accelerate refinery upgrades under the approved policy, and ensure complete transparency in the oil and gas sector while eliminating hoarding, corruption, and unlawful profiteering.
