ISLAMABAD: The position of Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has remained vacant for several months, with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik stating that the government is seeking an internationally recognised professional rather than a career bureaucrat to head Pakistan’s oil and gas regulator.
Speaking to a private television channel, Malik said a search committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and chaired by him interviewed 10 shortlisted candidates for the post. However, the committee concluded that none met the requirements for leading the regulatory authority.
“The committee’s decision was that none of them had the capacity to become Ogra chairman,” Malik said, adding that the government has recommended the appointment of an internationally reputed professional for the position.
According to official records, the post of Ogra Chairman has been vacant since February 22, while the office of Member (Oil) has also remained unfilled since June 11.
To ensure the regulator continues functioning, the government has assigned the additional charge of Ogra Chairman to the Secretary of the Establishment Division until a permanent appointment is made.
The Cabinet Division initiated the recruitment process for a permanent chairman in January, but the selection has yet to be finalised.
To address the leadership gap, the government recently amended the Ogra Ordinance through a presidential ordinance, allowing the additional charge of chairman to be assigned to a Grade-21 or above federal civil servant until a regular appointment is made.
Malik emphasized that Ogra operates independently and does not report to the petroleum minister, noting that the authority falls under the administrative oversight of the Cabinet Division.
He stressed that strengthening Pakistan’s key regulatory institutions is essential for sustainable economic reforms, arguing that capable leadership is crucial for improving governance.
“If Ogra, Nepra, the State Bank and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics are fixed, everything will be fixed,” the petroleum minister said, highlighting the importance of independent and professionally managed institutions in driving the country’s economic stability.
