ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rolled out a nationwide digital track-and-trace system for fuel distribution, aiming to curb smuggling, improve transparency, and strengthen oversight across the petroleum supply chain, officials from the Petroleum Division said.
The system introduces real-time monitoring tools at petrol pumps, oil tankers, and distribution terminals, marking one of the most comprehensive efforts to digitize fuel movement in the country. Authorities say the initiative is designed to ensure accurate measurement of fuel quantity and quality while tightening enforcement against illegal sales and transportation.
At the consumer level, the system integrates automated tank gauges, digital fuel nozzles, and a mobile application called Rahguzar, which allows users to verify registered petrol stations and avoid unlicensed outlets. Officials say this feature is intended to empower consumers while discouraging the operation of illegal fuel pumps.
Rahguzar app links pumps, tankers, and terminals
The digital infrastructure has been jointly developed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and the Punjab Information Technology Board, creating an integrated network that connects fuel tankers, storage terminals, and retail outlets.
In parallel, the Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions is preparing an online portal to fully digitize the bidding process for oil and gas exploration blocks, further expanding the government’s push toward transparency and automation in the energy sector.
Explosives monitoring and legal reforms
Alongside fuel monitoring, the Petroleum Division has activated a real-time explosives tracking system to oversee the movement of explosive materials nationwide. Officials confirmed that two phases of the project have already been completed, with further expansion planned.
To reinforce compliance, amendments to the Petroleum Act of 1934 have introduced stricter penalties, including heavier fines and confiscation provisions, targeting the illegal sale and transport of petroleum products. Authorities say the legal reforms are intended to ensure that digital monitoring is backed by effective enforcement.
Separately, the Sindh government has announced financial assistance for traders affected by recent fire incidents, although further details of the relief package have yet to be disclosed.
Officials maintain that the digital fuel tracking initiative represents a structural shift toward data-driven regulation, with potential benefits for revenue protection, consumer trust, and long-term energy governance.
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