Prime Minister Sharif Directs Digital Monitoring of Fuel Supply Chain

Shehbaz Sharif calls for swift implementation of technology-driven oversight to curb hoarding, ensure transparency and protect consumers.

July 31, 2026 at 6:05 PM
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to accelerate the digital monitoring of Pakistan’s fuel supply chain, emphasising the use of modern technology to improve transparency, prevent hoarding and ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products across the country.

Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review reforms and institutional capacity building at the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the prime minister instructed officials to develop a comprehensive system for monitoring fuel transportation, taking inspiration from the Federal Board of Revenue’s modern track-and-trace mechanism, according to a statement issued by the PM House.

OGRA to be restructured

To strengthen OGRA’s institutional capacity, the prime minister ordered the restructuring of the regulator and directed that qualified experts from the private sector be recruited through a transparent, merit-based process.

He assured the government would provide all necessary professional expertise to support the authority’s reform and restructuring efforts.

Shehbaz also stressed that public funds must be safeguarded and warned that exploitation, corruption and interference in the system would not be tolerated.

The prime minister further instructed relevant authorities to establish formal coordination mechanisms between regulatory bodies and their respective ministries to improve governance and oversight.

Focus on digital oversight

Officials informed the meeting that OGRA has made significant progress in digitizing the monitoring of the petroleum supply chain, from ports to retail fuel stations.

The briefing highlighted several digital initiatives already in operation, including the National Monitoring Dashboard, the Tanker Track and Trace System, Depot Tank Telemetry Systems, the Rahguzar mobile application and a Central Monitoring Cell. These systems are designed to monitor petroleum stocks, transportation and sales in real time.

Authorities also told the meeting that a data-driven enforcement campaign conducted in July 2026 uncovered multiple cases of fuel hoarding and unnecessary supply disruptions, resulting in the issuance of show-cause notices and the initiation of legal proceedings against those responsible.

Refinery upgrades and reform agenda

The prime minister directed officials to expedite the modernisation of oil refineries under the government’s approved policy and called for the strict implementation of the broader reform agenda across all public institutions without exception.

Appreciating OGRA’s reform programme, Shehbaz instructed officials to fully operationalise the digital monitoring system at the earliest to ensure complete transparency, strengthen oversight and eliminate hoarding and illegal profiteering in the oil and gas sector.

He reiterated that ensuring an uninterrupted fuel supply at fair prices remains one of the government’s highest priorities, warning that no negligence or corruption in the sector would be tolerated.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp