The Government of Pakistan has designated Mr. Shahzad Iqbal, Member (Gas), as Vice-Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) with effect from February 23, 2026, in a move seen as significant for the country’s energy regulatory landscape.
The appointment was notified by the Cabinet Division under Section 3(13) of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002 (No. XVII of 2002). The notification has been issued for publication in the next issue of the Gazette of Pakistan.
Mr. Shahzad Iqbal, who has been serving as Member (Gas) at OGRA, will now assume the additional responsibility of Vice-Chairman at a time when the authority is grappling with critical regulatory matters, including gas pricing, supply management, and oversight of transmission and distribution companies.
As Member (Gas), he has been involved in regulatory oversight of the natural gas sector, including tariff determinations, compliance monitoring, and coordination with key stakeholders in the upstream and downstream segments. His elevation to Vice-Chairman places him in a pivotal position within the authority’s decision-making structure.
The notification further states that consequent upon the appointment of the Chairman OGRA, he shall cease to be the Vice-Chairman, OGRA, in line with statutory provisions governing the authority’s composition.
Copies of the notification have been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Establishment Division, and the Petroleum Division, among other relevant offices.
OGRA, as the country’s apex oil and gas regulator, plays a central role in determining consumer gas tariffs, regulating LNG operations, overseeing oil marketing companies, and ensuring compliance across Pakistan’s petroleum supply chain. The designation of a Vice-Chairman from within its ranks is expected to ensure continuity in regulatory decision-making during a period marked by evolving energy market dynamics and fiscal pressures in the gas sector.
