Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calls for modern tracking systems in the oil and gas sector.
- Reforms include digital monitoring from ports to petrol pumps and transparent appointments.
- Ogra’s comprehensive reform programme aims to address supply chain issues.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a major overhaul of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to curb fuel hoarding, according to a high-level meeting held on Thursday.
The prime minister instructed that a comprehensive fuel movement monitoring system be developed across the country, similar to the Federal Board of Revenue’s modern tracking system. This includes digital monitoring from ports and refineries to petrol pumps.
Advanced technology and software will be used for this purpose, ensuring transparency in the supply chain. The government has also directed reputable experts from the private sector to strengthen Ogra's institutional capacity through a transparent, merit-based process.
During the meeting, the Ogra chairman provided a detailed briefing on the authority’s current performance, key challenges, and comprehensive reform programme. Significant progress has already been made in digitally monitoring the oil supply chain from ports to petrol pumps.
The prime minister affirmed that the government would provide all necessary professional expertise to support these reforms and restructuring efforts. He stated, 'The government will safeguard every single penny of the public. No one will be allowed to exploit the people or interfere with the system.'
Orders were given for the acceleration of work on the upgradation of oil refineries under the approved national policy. The prime minister also directed that all regulatory bodies establish formal coordination mechanisms with their respective ministries.
A data-driven special enforcement campaign in July 2026 identified multiple cases of hoarding, unnecessary supply disruptions, and other violations. Show-cause notices and requests for explanations were initiated against violators.
The comprehensive reform programme includes digitalisation of the authority, restructuring of the enforcement system, establishment of a Compliance Wing, reforms in the licensing framework, improved management of legal affairs, strengthening of financial resources, and institutional restructuring.
'The government will safeguard every single penny of the public. No one will be allowed to exploit the people or interfere with the system.'
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
