ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to develop a nationwide digital fuel monitoring system aimed at curbing petrol hoarding, artificial shortages and illegal profiteering across Pakistan.
The proposed system will digitally track petroleum products from ports and refineries to storage depots and retail fuel stations, giving regulators real-time visibility over fuel movement and stock levels. The initiative is expected to improve transparency across the petroleum supply chain and strengthen oversight of oil marketing operations.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting on reforms in the oil and gas sector, where the prime minister also ordered a comprehensive restructuring of OGRA to enhance its regulatory capacity.
Digital Monitoring to Strengthen Fuel Supply Oversight
Officials told the meeting that the new monitoring framework will use modern digital technology to track petroleum products throughout the supply chain, helping regulators identify unusual inventory movements, hidden fuel stocks and potential supply disruptions before they affect consumers.
The proposed system is expected to build on OGRA’s existing digital monitoring tools and adopt an integrated oversight model similar to technology-driven monitoring systems already used by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Existing Digital Systems Already in Place
The meeting was informed that OGRA has already introduced several digital initiatives, including a National Monitoring Dashboard, tanker track-and-trace system, depot tank telemetry, the Rahguzar mobile application, digital sales reporting at petrol pumps and a central monitoring cell.
According to officials, these systems have strengthened regulatory oversight by improving the monitoring of petroleum transportation, storage and retail sales.
Authorities also informed the prime minister that enforcement actions taken during July 2026 identified multiple cases involving alleged fuel hoarding, supply disruptions and regulatory violations, resulting in notices and further legal proceedings against the operators concerned.
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World Bank Recommendations Under Review
During the meeting, a World Bank delegation presented recommendations aimed at improving governance and efficiency in Pakistan’s energy sector.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the formation of a special committee to examine the recommendations in detail and prepare an implementation plan for consideration.
OGRA to Undergo Institutional Reforms
The prime minister also ordered a comprehensive restructuring of OGRA, directing that qualified professionals from the private sector be appointed to key positions through a transparent, merit-based process.
He further instructed regulatory bodies to strengthen coordination with relevant ministries and accelerate legal, administrative and policy reforms to improve enforcement and consumer protection across the petroleum sector.
What the New System Could Mean for Consumers
Artificial fuel shortages and long queues before petroleum price revisions have remained a recurring concern for motorists across Pakistan.
If implemented effectively, the digital monitoring system could enable regulators to identify hidden inventories, unusual fuel movements and supply disruptions in real time, allowing quicker intervention against hoarding and other irregular market practices.
The initiative is also expected to improve accountability throughout the petroleum supply chain while helping ensure a more stable fuel supply for consumers.
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