ISLAMABAD: In a decisive move to revitalize Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration sector, the government has launched a major restructuring of the Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) — the key regulatory body overseeing the nation’s upstream energy industry.
The Petroleum Division has constituted a seven-member reform committee, notified on October 3, 2025, to lead the transformation. The initiative aims to align DGPC operations with international best practices, enhance investor confidence, and modernize the regulatory and governance framework for petroleum concessions.
Under its mandate, the committee will conduct a comprehensive review of DGPC’s structure, mandate, and operational processes, and propose strategic, legal, and procedural reforms to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and investor facilitation. It will also design measures to promote digital governance and ensure a more responsive regulatory environment.
According to the official notification, the Additional Secretary (Policy) of the Petroleum Division will serve as convener, while the Director General of Petroleum Concessions will act as secretary. The committee also includes the Managing Directors of OGDCL, GHPL, and Mari Petroleum, along with a representative from the Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association (PPEPCA).
The committee has been empowered to co-opt additional members and experts where needed to support its work.
Officials said the reform is intended to make Pakistan’s upstream sector more competitive, transparent, and attractive to global investors, paving the way for renewed exploration and production activity in the country’s energy landscape.
Story by Khalid Mustafa
