Secretary ED gets 3-month extension as OGRA chief

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has extended the additional charge of Chairman, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), assigned to the Secretary, Establishment Division, for another three months with effect from July 8, 2026, or until the appointment of a regular chairman, whichever comes earlier. The decision was notified by the Cabinet Division, following concerns raised by Member National Assembly Asad Khan Niazi during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum held on July 7, 2026. Niazi emphasized that the position of OGRA chairman is critical and called for the appointment of a full-time head. According to the notification, “with the approval of the Federal Government, the additional charge of the post of Chairman, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, assigned to Nabeel Ahmad Awan, a BS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, presently serving as Secretary, Establishment Division, is extended for a further period of three months from July 8, 2026, or till the appointment of a regular chairman, whichever is earlier, in terms of proviso to Section 3(8)(a) of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002.” Earlier, on June 30, 2026, President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, allowing the appointment of an OGRA chairman from the civil service on an interim basis. Under the amended law, such an interim arrangement can remain in place for a maximum period of three months or until a regular chairman is appointed, whichever occurs earlier. The move is aimed at ensuring continuity in the functioning of the regulator and preventing any administrative vacuum in the absence of a permanent chairman. The ordinance introduces amendments to Sections 2 and 3 of the OGRA Ordinance, 2002, and was issued on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026