Petroleum Division forms panel to appoint executive director general

KARACHI: The Petroleum Division has constituted a committee to appoint an executive director-general (EDG) in a move aimed at streamlining operations in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector.

The committee, headed by Minister for Petroleum Division Ali Pervaiz Malik, has begun conducting interviews to fill the long-vacant position.

According to sources, the post of EDG has existed in the ministry for some time but remained unfilled so far. The appointment is now being prioritised to address the growing challenges and complexities facing the country’s oil and gas sector.

At present, five director-generals (DGs) are working to oversee policy formulation, implementation and administration within the sector.Among them, the DG petroleum concessions is responsible for policies related to oil and gas exploration and production, the DG oil oversees the oil sector, including refineries and oil marketing companies (OMCs), while the DG gas manages policy and implementation in the gas sector.

Sources said that although the sector is attracting new investment prospects, it continues to face structural and regulatory hurdles that impede growth.“The EDG office will help streamline policies and their implementation to facilitate fresh investment and resolve the issues currently obstructing the sector’s progress,” one source said.