Pakistan’s oil and gas regulator has been operating without a permanent chairman for nearly five months, even as it continues to oversee the country’s fuel pricing mechanism and other key regulatory functions.
According to official records, the post of OGRA Chairman has remained vacant since February 22, 2026, while the position of Member (Oil) has been vacant since June 11, 2026, following the acceptance of the officeholder’s resignation by the federal government.
Despite the prolonged vacancies, the federal government has yet to appoint permanent officials to either position.
To ensure continuity, the government has assigned the additional charge of OGRA Chairman to the Secretary of the Establishment Division, allowing the regulator to function on an interim basis.
The Cabinet Division initiated the process to appoint a permanent OGRA chairman in January 2026, but the selection has yet to be finalized.
Meanwhile, the government recently amended the OGRA Ordinance through a presidential ordinance, authorizing the federal government to assign the additional charge of chairman to a Grade-21 or higher civil servant until a permanent appointment is made.
The vacancies come as OGRA continues to play a central role in regulating Pakistan’s petroleum and natural gas sectors, including reviewing fuel prices, monitoring oil supplies, and overseeing the downstream energy market.
