Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh appointed secretary petroleum division

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move within the federal bureaucracy, the government has appointed senior Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh as Secretary of the Petroleum Division with immediate effect.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat’s Establishment Division on March 5, 2026, Sheikh, a BS-22 officer currently serving as Secretary at the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Division, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Petroleum Division until further orders.

The notification stated that the appointment will be effective immediately, and the officer will assume charge in the Petroleum Division following completion of necessary formalities related to relinquishment and assumption of duties.

As Secretary of Petroleum, Sheikh will head the key federal ministry responsible for overseeing Pakistan’s oil, gas and petroleum sector, including upstream exploration, production activities, refining, marketing and regulation of petroleum resources.

The Petroleum Division plays a central role in managing the country’s energy security, supervising major state-owned companies in the oil and gas sector, and coordinating policy matters related to exploration, production and supply of petroleum products and natural gas.

The appointment comes at a time when Pakistan’s energy sector is navigating complex challenges, including ensuring stable petroleum supplies, managing pricing mechanisms and strengthening regulatory oversight of the oil and gas industry.

The notification was issued by the Establishment Division and signed by Deputy Secretary Mahmood-ul-Hassan, while copies were circulated to key offices, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Division, Petroleum Division and other relevant departments for necessary action.