Govt accepts member oil's resignation

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has accepted the resignation of OGRA Member Oil Zain Ul Abideen Qureshi with immediate effect, creating a key vacancy in Pakistan's energy regulator at a time when the petroleum sector faces critical regulatory and market challenges.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on June 11, 2026, the federal government approved the resignation of Zain Ul Abideen Qureshi from the post of Member Oil at the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

The notification stated that the decision was taken through Federal Government Decision No. 405/Rule-19/2026/479 dated June 10, 2026. The resignation has been accepted under Section 3(11) of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002.

The Cabinet Division further notified that the resignation took effect from June 10, 2026. The government also approved payment of one month's salary in lieu of the mandatory one-month notice period.

The development marks a significant change in the leadership structure of Pakistan's energy regulator, which is responsible for overseeing the country's oil, gas and LPG sectors, including licensing, pricing oversight, infrastructure regulation and consumer protection matters.

Qureshi's departure leaves a crucial position vacant at OGRA at a time when the petroleum sector is dealing with multiple challenges, including fuel supply management, regulatory reforms, investment requirements and market monitoring.

The notification was issued by Deputy Secretary (RA) Sheheryar Abbasi and circulated to the President's Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Division, Establishment Division, Petroleum Division, OGRA Chairman and other relevant authorities.

According to sources familiar with the matter, OGRA Member Oil Zain Ul Abideen Qureshi submitted his resignation after being questioned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Karachi in connection with an ongoing inquiry into payments made to an oil marketing company under price differential claims (PDCs) linked to subsidised petroleum pricing following the US-Iran conflict.

Sources said the FIA is examining allegations related to the reporting of oil stocks and sales data, which investigators suspect may have been used to secure higher pricing benefits. The inquiry reportedly involves claims estimated at around Rs14 billion.

The sources further claimed that Qureshi appeared before FIA officials for questioning and submitted his resignation after returning to Islamabad last week.