News Detail
Event Title: Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat chairing a meeting under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan on different agendas regarding petroleum regulatory authorities at Secretariat Building in Karachi
Event Date: 2026-09-16
The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat convened a meeting at the Sindh Secretariat Building in Karachi on Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, to deliberate on various regulatory, operational and financial matters concerning the petroleum sector.
The meeting was attended by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Senator Atta-ur-Rehman, Senator Sarmad Ali and Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, while Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, Senator Dilawar Khan and Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan participated through video link. The Special Secretary, Petroleum Division, along with representatives of PARCO, SSGC and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), also attended the meeting. The Special Secretary, Cabinet Division, Member Finance, OGRA, and other relevant officials participated through video link.
The agenda included briefings by the Chairman, OGRA, the Secretary, Petroleum Division, and the Managing Directors of OGDCL, PSO and SSGC on outstanding regulatory, financial, operational and policy issues facing the petroleum sector.
Discussing the prevailing increase in petroleum prices and its impact on the general public, the Chairman, Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, emphasized the need for greater relief for the people and called for appropriate subsidy measures to mitigate the burden of high fuel prices. The Committee also discussed the recently announced fuel relief mechanism providing relief on up to 20 litres of petrol per month for motorcycles and other eligible two- and three-wheelers and up to 30 litres for eligible cars up to 800cc.
The Chairman also emphasized the need to enhance the country’s fuel storage capacity to ensure adequate reserves and uninterrupted supply during emergencies and periods of disruption. The Committee directed the relevant authorities to examine measures for increasing storage capacity and strengthening the country’s preparedness in this regard.
Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi sought details of the measures being taken by the Petroleum Division to facilitate the public and provide relief in the face of prevailing challenges, particularly the increase in fuel prices. He stressed that the interests and concerns of the people should remain the foremost consideration in policymaking and implementation.
Senator Atta-ur-Rehman emphasized the need to strengthen Pakistan’s preparedness and institutional capacity to respond to emergencies by enhancing fuel storage capacity in the country. He also proposed that fuel allocations for government offices be reduced for a period of one year as a measure to reduce unnecessary consumption and ease the burden arising from higher fuel prices. He further called for reducing unnecessary expenditures across government departments so that maximum relief could be extended to the general public.
Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti stressed that the public should not be subjected to undue hardship and urged the relevant authorities attending the meeting to discharge their regulatory responsibilities with firmness, efficiency and timely action, particularly to ensure the smooth supply and movement of fuel across the country.
While discussing the outstanding payments to the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the Committee expressed displeasure over the delay in release of the outstanding amounts and completion of the requisite formalities by OGRA. The Committee recalled that it had directed OGRA on more than three occasions to release the outstanding amounts to the concerned OMCs and complete all requisite formalities at the earliest. The Committee observed that, despite repeated assurances by OGRA, the matter had not yet been resolved. The Committee directed OGRA to expedite the process and ensure early settlement of the outstanding amounts. OGRA assured the Committee that the outstanding payments would be processed and released at the earliest.
The Committee also inquired about the country’s refineries and their operational capacity. It was informed that Pakistan lags behind in adopting modern refinery technology, while upgrading existing facilities would require four to five years and an estimated investment of at least US$6 billion.
The Committee further recommended that the Petroleum Division and PSO take necessary steps towards establishing a fuel storage facility in Gilgit-Baltistan, keeping in view the region’s geographical conditions, supply requirements and the need for adequate fuel reserves. The Committee directed PSO to furnish details of the proposal being considered for establishment of the facility, including its feasibility, proposed storage capacity, location, estimated cost and overall viability, for consideration by the Committee at its next meeting.
The Chairman thanked all attendees for their participation and support. He assured the officials that the Committee would extend its cooperation wherever required and facilitate coordination with the relevant authorities, where necessary.