OGRA directs oil & gas sector to switch to digital payments by October 2025

Islamabad: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has issued a landmark directive requiring all companies under its regulation to adopt digital payment systems by October 31, 2025, marking a major step towards Pakistan’s digital economy vision.

The order applies to oil marketing companies (OMCs), gas utilities, CNG stations, LNG and LPG operators, refineries, and lubricant marketers. These entities must provide digital payment options, prominently displaying the State Bank of Pakistan’s Raast QR Code at their outlets. OGRA has also made it clear that no customer can be denied the option to pay digitally.

The shift aims to reduce cash dependency, plug financial leakages, and enhance efficiency in the energy supply chain. To ensure smooth implementation, companies have been instructed to coordinate with banks, microfinance institutions, and electronic money operators to obtain free Raast QR codes before the deadline.

Industry experts believe this reform will improve transparency, reduce operational costs, and strengthen financial inclusion, particularly in areas where traditional banking access is limited. If effectively executed, OGRA’s directive could become a benchmark for digitization across Pakistan’s regulated industries.