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Pakistan’s oil industry has strongly opposed Ogra’s newly enforced deadlines for nationwide digital monitoring of more than 32,000 storage tanks and petrol pumps, arguing that the aggressive timeline and massive Rs55–60 billion cost cannot be achieved without a proper recovery mechanism.
Both the Oil Companies’ Advisory Council (OCAC) and the Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) submitted formal complaints after Ogra unilaterally ordered full integration of the Auto Tank Gauging (ATG) system within 6–12 months.
The ATG system requires linking every tank, depot and fuel pump to a central digital dashboard for real time fuel monitoring. Ogra has asked companies to digitise:
- 600 sites by Jan 31, 2026
- Remaining sites by Jan 31, 2027
- 16,000 retail pumps by June 2026
In their letters, OCAC and OMAP said firms were denied the chance to share the technical, financial and supply chain hurdles of installing custom-built ATG hardware nationwide.
One executive quoted Ogra Chairman Masroor Khan as telling companies that digital integration was
“the prime minister’s vision and must be completed within deadlines,” warning of punitive action for non-compliance.
Another official added,
“Without a cost recovery plan, do they want us to go bankrupt?”
Industry members also criticised the existing PITB-led Track & Trace system, saying it has produced
“no update, no timeline, and no tangible outcome.”
Shortly after the backlash, OCAC and OMAP held an urgent meeting with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. The minister advised Ogra to address industry concerns while continuing with the broader reform agenda.
Key Concerns Raised
- ATG hardware is not available off the shelf and requires custom manufacturing.
- Implementation needs a phased, multi-year plan due to procurement and calibration timelines.
- OMC margins have remained unchanged for two years, making it impossible to absorb Rs55bn in new costs.
- The meeting with Ogra was described as a one sided monologue, ignoring technical realities.
