Provinces seek seats in OGRA

According to The Express Tribune, the Punjab government has urged the federal government to give every province a seat on the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), alongside federal representatives, so that day-to-day administration of the hydrocarbon sector can be handled more effectively. The federal side has forwarded a summary proposing that provinces stay out of routine administrative affairs in oil and gas, and it has been put before the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Copies of that summary went to several federal ministries, the Attorney General and the four provinces for comments.

Sindh objected to one part of the proposal, arguing that Article 172(3) gives provinces equal title to oil and gas in their territory or adjacent waters, along with the right to act as co-licensors. Balochistan wants policy changes approved by the CCI and regulatory decisions made under rules set at that level. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said parliament's power cannot be set aside, but it cannot legislate against the spirit of the same Article, while Punjab only partly backed the idea and suggested that provincial grievances could go to the CCI.

The summary is still at the consultation stage, with the ministries and provinces asked for their views. Until a final position is reached, the balance of powers between the federal government and the provinces in oil and gas administration remains open.