ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has witnessed a significant decline in fuel consumption during the first half of April 2026, following the government’s rollout of a strict digital monitoring system aimed at regulating petroleum sales and curbing misuse.
According to official data from Pakistan State Oil (PSO), sales of Premier Motor Gasoline (PMG) fell by 14% year-on-year, while High-Speed Diesel (HSD) consumption dropped sharply by 26% during the first 15 days of the month, amid rising fuel prices and tighter oversight.
The regulatory push is being led by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), under the Ministry of Energy, which has mandated all petrol pumps nationwide to adopt a dual-app monitoring system to ensure transparency across the fuel supply chain.
The first tool, the OGRA Sales Portal/Mobile App, developed in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), is already operational. It requires fuel station operators to upload daily data on stock receipts, sales volumes, and inventory levels before 10:00am. The system is linked to a central dashboard monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office to prevent hoarding and unauthorized sales.
Regulators have warned that non-compliance or inaccurate reporting will trigger immediate action under the Oil Rules 2016.
A second application, the National Fuel Pass, is expected to be introduced soon. According to industry sources, this app will monitor fuel consumption at the individual vehicle level and may introduce a quota system based on engine capacity (CC), signaling a shift toward controlled fuel usage.
While authorities believe the system will help rationalize consumption and stabilize supply, concerns are emerging within the petroleum sector. Experts question how the policy will differentiate between private vehicles and high-usage commercial operations such as delivery services, and whether factors like vehicle age and fuel efficiency will be considered.
There are also concerns regarding data privacy and cybersecurity, as the proposed system could track individual consumption patterns. Additionally, petrol pump operators have raised practical issues about meeting strict reporting deadlines in case of technical disruptions.
Despite these concerns, the government is pushing ahead with what it calls a “most urgent” implementation strategy. Officials argue that enhanced digital tracking will help curb black market activity, improve supply chain visibility, and manage rising energy demand more effectively.
The evolving framework points toward a new era of regulated fuel consumption in Pakistan, with technology playing a central role in shaping energy usage patterns.
Story by Kasim Abbasi
