PM orders to fast-track OGRA reforms, strengthen regulatory framework

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed on Friday the relevant ministries and institutions to ensure progress on a priority basis on the required legal, administrative, and policy measures for Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) reforms and enhancement of institutional capacity.

The PM said this while chairing a high-level meeting today regarding reforms in OGRA and improvements in institutional capacity, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

During the meeting, the OGRA chairman gave a detailed briefing on the institution’s current performance, the challenges it faces, and the comprehensive reform program.

The meeting was informed that OGRA had made significant progress in monitoring the oil supply chain from ports to petrol pumps through a digital system, added the PMO.

“Multiple digital systems have been activated, 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, through which effective monitoring of the movement, storage, and sales of petroleum products is being enabled.”

The members were informed that during July 2026, as a result of a data-based special campaign, multiple incidents of hoarding, unnecessary disruptions in supply, and other violations were identified, on which show-cause notices, requests for explanation, and other legal actions were initiated.

A briefing was also given in the meeting on OGRA’s comprehensive reform program, which included the institution’s digitalisation, reconstitution of the enforcement system from scratch, establishment of a compliance wing, reforms in the licensing system, effective management of legal affairs, strengthening of financial resources, and reorganisation of the institutional structure.

Addressing the meeting, the PM said, “The implementation of the government’s reform agenda should be ensured uniformly across all institutions.

Taking the modern tracking system of the FBR as a model, a stringent monitoring system for the transportation of fuel across the country should be established.”

The PM further said that the application of modern technology and software, and digital monitoring of the supply chain from ports and refineries to petrol pumps, should be carried out.

The premier further said that experts with a good reputation from the private sector should be appointed to enhance OGRA’s capacity. By reorganising OGRA, appointments of experts for each sector and position should be made on merit through a transparent process, he said.

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“The government will provide all kinds of professional expertise for OGRA’s reforms and reorganisation. The government will protect every penny of the public; no one will be allowed to exploit the public or interfere in the system,” the PM added.

“Necessary steps should be taken to establish formal communication between all regulatory institutions and their respective ministries. Work on upgrading oil refineries established in the country should be expedited under the approved policy.”

Appreciating the reform program presented by OGRA, the PM directed that modern digital systems be fully activated as soon as possible to ensure complete transparency in the oil and gas sector, effective monitoring, and the elimination of hoarding and illegitimate profiteering.

“Ensuring uninterrupted supply of fuel to the public and fair pricing is the government’s top priority, and no negligence or corruption will be tolerated for this purpose,” he said.