By Aamir Lashari
ISLAMABAD: In a controversial move, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has reportedly renewed the license of M/s E-Gas, a company accused of corruption, tax evasion, and illegal practices, reveals an official report on Thursday. Allegations point to collusion within OGRA, as objections from industry stakeholders and the findings of an internal inquiry were dismissed, raising serious concerns about regulatory integrity.
Industry Objections Overlooked in Favor of E-Gas Renewal
MOL Pakistan, M/s GASCON, Rafhan Maize Products Limited, and other stakeholders objected to the renewal, presenting evidence of E-Gas’s financial defaults, involvement in court cases, and blacklisting by multiple companies, including OGDCL and PPL. OGRA’s inquiry report also cited E-Gas for illegally selling flare gas to CNG stations, rather than its intended industrial clients, leading to a PKR 190 million fine—of which the company remains a defaulter.
Legal and Financial Concerns Ignored, License Granted on Dubious Grounds
During OGRA’s public hearing, MOL Pakistan reported that E-Gas owed over half a million USD and PKR 500,000, highlighting its financial incompetence and default status. However, OGRA’s Licensing Authority, including Chairman Masroor Khan, Member Finance Muhammad Naeem Ghouri, and Member Oil Zain-ul-Abidin, renewed E-Gas’s license based on Murree Brewery’s advance payment and Rafhan Maize Products Limited as a prospective client, framing it as in the “national interest.”
