Fuel movement oversight: PM orders Ogra to deploy digital monitoring system
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to develop a nationwide digital monitoring system for petroleum products, using modern technology to track the fuel supply chain from ports and refineries to petrol stations.
Chairing a high-level meeting on reforms and institutional capacity enhancement at the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), the prime minister directed the officials to establish an integrated monitoring mechanism modelled on the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) technology-driven platform to ensure effective oversight of fuel movement across the country.
He directed that cutting-edge technology and advanced software be deployed to digitally track the entire petroleum supply chain in real time – covering imports at ports, processing at refineries, transportation, storage and eventual sales at petrol stations.
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He also stressed that the government’s reform agenda must be implemented consistently across all institutions, emphasising that stronger governance and greater transparency were vital to reinforcing regulatory bodies.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over fuel hoarding, supply interruptions and profiteering, as the government moves to modernise regulatory institutions, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and improve transparency across the energy sector.
Sharif ordered a comprehensive restructuring of Ogra, directing that highly qualified and credible private-sector professionals and experts be appointed to key positions through a transparent and merit-based process.
“The government will extend all necessary professional support and expertise to facilitate Ogra’s reforms and restructuring,” he said, adding that public funds would be safeguarded and no individual would be permitted to exploit consumers or undermine the regulatory framework.
He directed authorities to establish formal coordination arrangements between regulatory bodies and their respective ministries to ensure more effective policy implementation.
He also called for the swift completion of upgrades to oil refineries under the government’s approved refinery policy.
During the meeting, Ogra Chairman Nabeel Ahmad Awan briefed the prime minister on the regulator’s current performance, operational challenges and comprehensive reform agenda.
He said OGRA had made significant strides in digitally monitoring the petroleum supply chain from ports to petrol stations through a national monitoring dashboard, tanker track-and-trace system, depot tank telemetry, the Rahguzar mobile application, digital sales entry systems at petrol pumps and a central monitoring cell.
He said these data-driven systems had enabled regulators to track the movement, storage and sale of petroleum products with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
A July 2026 enforcement campaign conducted through the digital platform identified instances of fuel hoarding, unnecessary supply disruptions and other regulatory breaches. Following the findings, show-cause notices were issued, explanations sought and legal proceedings initiated.
Khan also outlined Ogra’s comprehensive reform programme, which includes digital transformation, restructuring of the enforcement framework, the creation of a dedicated compliance wing, licensing reforms, enhanced legal management, stronger financial resources and broader institutional restructuring.
The prime minister appreciated the reform proposals and directed officials to ensure that digital monitoring systems became fully operational at the earliest, enabling greater transparency, stronger oversight and the elimination of fuel hoarding and illegal profiteering.
He said ensuring uninterrupted petroleum supplies at fair prices remained among the government’s highest priorities, warning that negligence or corruption within the sector would not be tolerated.
Sharif instructed relevant ministries and departments to accelerate the legal, administrative and policy measures required for OGRA’s reforms and institutional strengthening, enabling the regulatory framework to become more effective, transparent and aligned with contemporary requirements.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, other cabinet members, and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026