ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to implement a modern digital monitoring system aimed at ensuring transparency in the oil and gas sector while eliminating hoarding and profiteering.
The directive was issued during a meeting between the Prime Minister and a delegation led by the World Bank’s Country Director, which presented a set of policy recommendations concerning reforms in Pakistan’s energy sector.
During the meeting, the delegation shared recommendations intended to improve governance, regulatory oversight, and operational efficiency in the petroleum industry. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the proposals and ordered the formation of a special committee to examine the report in detail and submit recommendations for implementation.
Emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability, the Prime Minister instructed OGRA to introduce an advanced digital system capable of monitoring the supply chain and improving oversight across the oil and gas sector.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the digital mechanism is intended to help curb hoarding, illegal profiteering, and market manipulation, while ensuring that petroleum products are supplied efficiently and fairly throughout the country.
Officials believe the proposed digital system will strengthen regulatory enforcement by enabling real-time monitoring of fuel stocks, distribution networks, and pricing practices. The initiative is also expected to improve data collection, enhance compliance by industry stakeholders, and increase public confidence in the sector.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to introducing reforms that promote transparency, reduce inefficiencies, and protect consumers from unfair pricing practices.
The committee formed to review the World Bank’s recommendations is expected to assess the feasibility of the proposed reforms and identify practical measures for their implementation. The findings may contribute to broader policy changes aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s energy sector and improving regulatory governance.
The government has increasingly emphasized the use of digital technologies to enhance transparency and accountability across public institutions. The proposed system for the oil and gas sector is seen as part of these wider efforts to improve service delivery, strengthen oversight, and prevent financial irregularities.
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