The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will introduce an artificial intelligence and analytics-based system to monitor Pakistan’s petroleum products supply chain under a government initiative being developed in partnership with Alibaba Group. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the regulator to adopt the system during a meeting in Islamabad reviewing progress on artificial intelligence and digitalisation projects across the economy and public administration. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, AI and business intelligence tools are being provided to OGRA to analyse fuel supply chain data and improve regulatory oversight. The initiative is part of the broader strategic cooperation between Pakistan and Alibaba, with the government directing relevant ministries to complete the necessary arrangements for these projects by November.
The proposed system is intended to help OGRA analyse information about the movement of petroleum products through the supply chain, from ports and refineries to storage facilities and petrol pumps. Data analytics could support the regulator in monitoring stock positions, identifying unusual supply movements and detecting potential disruptions in distribution. The technology may also improve the authority’s ability to identify irregularities and support enforcement activities. However, the government has not yet disclosed the system’s technical specifications, deployment schedule, cost or the precise role Alibaba will play in its development. The prime minister has directed the relevant departments to establish clear targets and timelines for the wider projects and submit a progress report after completing the required measures by November.
The proposed AI initiative will build on OGRA’s existing digital monitoring infrastructure. The regulator already operates several systems, including a National Monitoring Dashboard, Tanker Track and Trace system, depot tank telemetry, the Rahguzar mobile application, a digital sales entry system at petrol pumps and a Central Monitoring Cell. These tools are designed to provide visibility into petroleum stocks, transportation and sales. In July 2026, OGRA also reported that a data-driven enforcement campaign had identified cases involving alleged hoarding and unnecessary supply disruptions, resulting in show-cause notices and legal proceedings. Separately, the authority has been working to integrate data from oil marketing companies and refineries through enterprise resource planning systems and obtain stock information through automatic tank gauging sensors.
The fuel monitoring project is one of several technology initiatives being pursued under the government’s cooperation with Alibaba Group. Other areas include an AI-assisted early cancer detection system, a 15-day AI training programme for IT graduates through the Ministry of IT’s Ignite programme, AI-based agricultural models and digital platforms for exporting citrus fruits and olives. The government is also working on tobacco track-and-trace technology and other digital public-sector projects. For OGRA, the introduction of AI-based analytics could add another layer to the monitoring systems already in place, although its effectiveness will depend on data integration, implementation and the accuracy of information received across the petroleum supply chain.
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