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Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has removed Federal Secretary Petroleum Division Momin Agha from his post, directing him to report to the Establishment Division as Officer on Special Duty (OSD). The notification was issued by the Establishment Division following the premier’s approval.
Momin Agha, a Grade-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, is a seasoned bureaucrat who had been serving as Secretary Petroleum for an extended period, overseeing key projects in the energy sector.
Sources indicate that the removal stems from differences with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik over critical policy matters, including gas allocation, sector reforms, and other strategic decisions in the petroleum industry.
This change comes in the backdrop of ongoing policy tensions within the Petroleum Division, reflecting the government’s priorities and challenges in the energy sector. Sources suggest the action was taken on the recommendations of the petroleum minister.
Officials have refrained from providing further details, but the development has become a topic of discussion in bureaucratic circles. Until a new secretary is appointed, additional responsibilities may be assigned to a senior officer.
Earlier, the Petroleum Division witnessed significant friction between former Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Masood Malik and Secretary Momin Agha over policy issues. In November 2024, following a key decision on petroleum policy, Minister Musadik Malik reportedly informed the government that he would not implement the policy unless Secretary Momin Agha and Additional Secretary Zafar Abbas were removed.
This standoff created an atmosphere of mistrust within the ministry, impacting implementation efforts. Subsequently, Dr. Musadik Malik was transferred from the Petroleum portfolio to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, where he assumed charge.
Momin Agha, however, remained in his position until the recent decision to relieve him amid fresh policy differences. The disputes were linked to reforms in the energy sector, gas allocation, and other pivotal policies.
These recurring tensions highlight the complexities in aligning political and bureaucratic approaches in Pakistan’s vital energy sector.
