Pakistan revamps oil and gas body to boost investment

ISLAMABAD: In a bold and transformative step, the government has embarked on a sweeping overhaul of the Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions (DGPC), the cornerstone regulator of Pakistan’s upstream oil and gas exploration sector.

Tasked with managing petroleum rights and awarding exploration blocks, the DGPC is now set for a comprehensive reform to align with international best practices, aiming to revitalize the nation’s energy landscape. The Petroleum Division has established a seven-member committee, as notified on October 3, 2025, to lead this transformation. The committee is tasked with reviewing the DGPC’s current mandate, structure, and processes, and proposing strategic, legal, and procedural reforms to modernise its regulatory framework. It will also recommend measures to enhance transparency, investor facilitation, and digital governance within the petroleum concessions regime.

According to the notification, the additional secretary (policy) of the Petroleum Division will serve as convener, with the director general of Petroleum Concessions acting as secretary. Other members include the managing directors of OGDCL, GHPL, and Mari Petroleum, alongside a representative from the Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association (PPEPCA). The committee may co-opt additional members as required.