National Assembly Introduces OGRA Amendment Bill 2026 to Streamline Administrative Powers

Pakistan’s National Assembly has introduced the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026 to update the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002, streamline administrative procedures, and improve decision-making within the regulatory framework.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002 regulates the establishment, powers, and functioning of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority in Pakistan. The government says the amendment was needed to rationalize administrative powers and align the law with legal requirements following the Mustafa Impex case.

What Changed in the Law?

“Federal Government” Replaced with “Prime Minister” in Section 3

The amendment proposes changes in Section 3 of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002.

In subsections (8), (10), (11), and (13), the words “Federal Government” will be replaced with “Prime Minister.”

The government says this change will:

• Clearly identify the competent authority
• Reduce delays in administrative approvals
• Improve decision-making related to OGRA
• Streamline procedural and administrative matters

Administrative Authority Updated in Section 5

Section 5 of the Ordinance has also been amended.

In subsections (1), (2), and (6), the words “Federal Government” will be replaced with “Prime Minister.”

The government says this amendment will:

• Clarify administrative responsibility
• Improve regulatory efficiency
• Reduce unnecessary referrals to the Federal Cabinet
• Support smoother functioning of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority

Finance Division Added in Section 17

The amendment also proposes changes in Section 17 of the Ordinance.

In subsection (2), the first occurrence of the words “Federal Government” will be replaced with “Finance Division.”

The second occurrence of the words “Federal Government” will be replaced with “Prime Minister.”

The government says this change will:

• Assign financial matters to the relevant division
• Clarify authority in financial and administrative procedures
• Improve coordination between OGRA and government departments
• Strengthen the implementation process

Secretary of the Relevant Division Given Authority in Section 20

Section 20 of the Ordinance has also been amended.

In subsections (1) and (2), the words “Federal Government” will be replaced with “Secretary of the Division to which business of the Authority stands allocated.”

The government says this amendment will:

• Delegate routine administrative powers to the relevant secretary
• Reduce the burden on the Federal Cabinet
• Speed up non-policy administrative matters
• Improve efficiency in the functioning of the Authority

Governance Reforms Introduced

The amendment is part of broader legal and administrative reforms proposed in light of the Mustafa Impex case.

In the Mustafa Impex judgment, the Supreme Court of Pakistan clarified that executive decisions involving policy, financial, or administrative implications must be taken by the Federal Cabinet collectively, unless the law authorizes another authority.

After this judgment, the government observed that several existing laws still assign routine, procedural, and administrative powers to the “Federal Government.” This creates the need to repeatedly send minor and non-policy matters to the Federal Cabinet, causing unnecessary delays.

Why This Law Was Needed

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the amendment was introduced to streamline governance, improve administrative efficiency, and ensure that the Federal Cabinet focuses on matters of national policy and strategic importance.

The Cabinet Division reviewed relevant laws and prepared the amendment bill to rationalize and reassign such powers to appropriate authorities.

Key Objectives of the Amendment

• Amend the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002
• Replace “Federal Government” with “Prime Minister” in key sections
• Assign certain financial matters to the Finance Division
• Delegate routine powers to the relevant division secretary
• Reduce unnecessary burden on the Federal Cabinet
• Improve administrative efficiency
• Align the law with the Mustafa Impex judgment
• Strengthen the governance framework of OGRA

Pakistan’s National Assembly has introduced the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026 to modernize administrative procedures, clarify regulatory authority, and support the effective functioning of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.