Oil Marketing Association Raises Serious Objections Over OCAC’s Role in Petroleum Sector Affairs

The Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) has raised grave concerns over what it terms the “illegitimate and exclusionary conduct” of the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), calling on the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to immediately investigate OCAC’s role and limit its influence in the country’s petroleum regulatory landscape. In a strongly worded letter addressed to OGRA Chairman, OMAP Chairman Tariq Wazir Ali alleged that OCAC, despite lacking legal recognition, is wielding undue influence in regulatory matters and sectoral coordination, to the detriment of licensed stakeholders. “OCAC is neither a registered entity with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), nor licensed by the Directorate General of Trade Organizations (DGTO), Ministry of Commerce,” the letter stated. “It holds no statutory recognition as a representative trade body.” OMAP, which is a DGTO-licensed organization representing oil marketing companies across Pakistan, expressed concern over OGRA’s continued engagement with OCAC. “This undermines the integrity of formal institutions and marginalizes legitimately recognized stakeholders,” the letter added. The association also accused OCAC of exclusionary practices, claiming that OMAP members have been routinely denied access to industry meetings convened under the aegis of OGRA and the Ministry of Energy. “These meetings are convened on regulatory matters and cannot be monopolized by an unregistered forum,” Ali wrote. Further criticism was directed at OCAC’s alleged control over data and coordination mechanisms such as the PRM (Product Review Meeting). According to OMAP, this control restricts access for non-OCAC members and contradicts the principles of transparency and fairness. “OCAC has fostered an artificial monopoly in petroleum sector coordination by misrepresenting its authority,” the letter said. “Its attempts to act as a gatekeeper between refineries and OMCs are not only unwarranted but damaging.” OMAP warned that OCAC’s unilateral actions are disrupting sectoral harmony at a time when cooperation and transparency are essential for stabilizing Pakistan’s energy sector. “OCAC’s interventions continue to create rifts among sector participants,” the letter noted. Calling for immediate corrective action, OMAP demanded, retraction of all unauthorized communications made by OCAC; A public apology for misrepresentation and exclusionary practices; A transparent investigation by OGRA into OCAC’s role and legitimacy; Equal access to data and decision-making platforms for all licensed stakeholders. OMAP also reserved the right to pursue legal and administrative remedies if its concerns are not addressed. “We urge OGRA to uphold its regulatory obligations by engaging only with legally constituted and recognized entities,” the letter concluded. OGRA has yet to issue an official response to the concerns raised by OMAP.