ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday removed the acting chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) amid ongoing oil supply challenges and pricing controversies, appointing a senior bureaucrat on an interim basis.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Nabeel Ahmed Awan, a BS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) and currently Secretary Establishment Division, has been assigned additional charge as Ogra chairman with immediate effect for three months or until a permanent appointment is made.
The outgoing acting chairman, Shahzad Iqbal, will continue to serve as Member Gas.
His removal follows criticism during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Oil Products Monitoring, chaired by Muhammad Aurangzeb, where concerns were raised over slow progress in automation and integration of the petroleum supply chain. Participants noted his inability to adequately explain the situation or defend the regulator’s position.
The government has been operating Ogra on an ad hoc basis for over a year, having previously extended the tenure of former chairman Masroor Khan without initiating the process for a permanent replacement. Earlier this year, Shahzad Iqbal was given interim charge instead of appointing a regular chairman.
Recent meetings also drew criticism of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Ogra for delays in digitising stock and supply monitoring systems. Officials highlighted that PSO’s retail integration stands at around 60%, while private sector compliance remains significantly lower.
Amid rising domestic and international oil prices, authorities expressed concerns that gaps in monitoring enabled hoarding and market manipulation. Questions were also raised regarding discrepancies in petroleum pricing, particularly diesel rate calculations.
Former energy minister Musadik Malik reportedly flagged potential windfall gains within the oil industry, citing lack of timely corrective measures.
To strengthen oversight, the Ministry of Finance announced deployment of joint teams comprising officials from the Petroleum Division, Ogra, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and PSO at selected fuel stations in Islamabad. These teams will ensure real-time data entry, improve stock transparency, and enforce compliance.
The reshuffle was approved after briefing the prime minister on the situation. Despite governance concerns, officials maintained that the overall petroleum supply remains stable, with diesel stocks covering around 25 days, petrol supplies meeting current demand, and crude oil reserves sufficient for approximately 12 days, supported by incoming shipments.
Story by Khaleeq Kiani
