Pakistan's fuel supply chain is about to get a high-tech watchdog. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the oil sector regulator to adopt a digital monitoring system modeled on the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) modern tracking framework, aiming to clamp down on hoarding and supply disruptions that have plagued the country. Main Developments At a high-level meeting on Thursday, the prime minister directed authorities to develop a comprehensive fuel movement monitoring system across Pakistan, mirroring the FBR's digital tracking approach. The system would use advanced technology and software to oversee the petroleum supply chain from ports and refineries all the way to petrol pumps. Sharif also called for a reorganisation of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), insisting that reputable private-sector experts be appointed to every department through a transparent, merit-based process. He affirmed the government would provide all necessary professional expertise to support these reforms. Read also: Why Pakistan's LNG price spike signals deeper trouble The prime minister stressed that the reform agenda must be implemented uniformly across all institutions, and he ordered all regulatory bodies to establish formal coordination mechanisms with their respective ministries. He also instructed that work on upgrading oil refineries under the approved national policy be accelerated. Background Ogra has already made significant strides in digital oversight. Several systems are now active, including the National Monitoring Dashboard, Tanker Track and Trace System, Depot Tank Telemetry, the Rahguzar mobile app, a Digital Sales Entry System at petrol pumps, and a Central Monitoring Cell. These tools enable real-time tracking of the movement, storage, and sale of petroleum products. A data-driven special enforcement campaign in July 2026 uncovered multiple cases of hoarding, unnecessary supply disruptions, and other violations, leading to show-cause notices and legal action against offenders. Why It Matters Fuel hoarding and supply chain interference directly hit consumers, causing artificial shortages and price spikes. The prime minister's pledge to safeguard "every single penny of the public" signals a tougher stance against those who exploit the system. Stronger oversight could stabilise fuel availability and protect household budgets. Ogra's broader reform programme—covering digitalisation, enforcement restructuring, a new Compliance Wing, licensing reforms, and better legal and financial management—aims to make the regulator more effective and accountable. That institutional strength is key to preventing future disruptions. What's Next Implementation is the immediate priority. The government must now appoint private-sector experts to Ogra through a merit-based process and roll out the FBR-style monitoring system nationwide. Coordination between regulators and ministries also needs to be formalised, with refinery upgrades expected to proceed under the national policy. Whether these reforms translate into fewer hoarding incidents and smoother fuel supplies will depend on execution. The July 2026 enforcement campaign shows the tools can work—now the challenge is scaling them up and sustaining the political will behind them.