**ISLAMABAD:** Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif** has directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to undertake comprehensive institutional reforms and establish a nationwide digital fuel movement monitoring system, modelled on the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) modern tracking framework, to curb fuel hoarding, improve transparency, and strengthen regulatory oversight.
Chairing a high-level meeting on Thursday to review Ogra’s reform agenda and institutional capacity, the prime minister stressed that the government’s reform programme must be implemented uniformly across all public institutions.
He instructed authorities to deploy advanced technology and digital software to monitor the petroleum supply chain from ports and refineries to storage depots and retail fuel stations. He also directed that experienced private-sector professionals be appointed to strengthen Ogra’s technical and institutional capabilities.
Calling for a comprehensive reorganisation of the regulator, Prime Minister Shehbaz said appointments across all departments should be made through a transparent, merit-based process to enhance efficiency and accountability.
“The government will safeguard every single penny of the public. No one will be allowed to exploit the people or interfere with the system,” the prime minister said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to regulatory reforms.
He assured Ogra of full government support for its restructuring programme and instructed all regulatory authorities to establish formal coordination mechanisms with their respective ministries. The prime minister also directed that work on upgrading the country’s oil refineries under the approved national refinery policy be expedited.
During the meeting, the Ogra chairman briefed the prime minister on the authority’s operational performance, key challenges, and ongoing reform initiatives.
The meeting was informed that Ogra has made significant progress in digitising the petroleum supply chain through the deployment of several technology-driven monitoring systems. These include the **National Monitoring Dashboard**, **Tanker Track and Trace System**, **Depot Tank Telemetry**, **Rahguzar Mobile App**, **Digital Sales Entry System** at petrol pumps, and the **Central Monitoring Cell**.
According to the briefing, these platforms enable real-time monitoring of petroleum transportation, storage, and retail sales, significantly improving regulatory oversight.
Officials also informed the meeting that a **data-driven enforcement campaign conducted in July 2026** identified multiple cases of fuel hoarding, unnecessary supply disruptions, and other regulatory violations. Show-cause notices, requests for explanations, and other legal proceedings have since been initiated against the violators.
The meeting further reviewed Ogra’s broader reform programme, which includes the digitalisation of regulatory operations, restructuring of the enforcement mechanism, establishment of a dedicated **Compliance Wing**, reforms to the licensing framework, improved legal case management, strengthening of financial resources, and comprehensive institutional restructuring aimed at enhancing governance and service delivery.
Story by Syed Irfan Raza
