By SKM
April 13, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (Pakistan State Oil Company Limited) has appointed energy veteran Jawwad Ahmed Cheema as its new Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term, effective May 18, 2026, marking a key leadership transition at the country’s largest state-owned oil marketing company.
According to a notice submitted to the stock exchange, the appointment was approved by PSO’s Board of Management during its meeting held on April 11, 2026. Cheema will replace interim CEO Abdus Sami, who had been serving in the role following recent leadership changes at the company.
The development comes shortly after former PSO Managing Director and CEO Syed Taha moved to take up a new position as Chief Executive Officer of K-Electric, reflecting a broader reshuffle in leadership across Pakistan’s key energy institutions.
Extensive global energy experience
Cheema brings more than 28 years of experience in the downstream energy sector, with a career spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Asia. His expertise covers the full downstream value chain, including retail fuels, lubricants, storage infrastructure, supply chain operations, and strategic planning.
He spent 26 years with Shell plc (formerly Royal Dutch Shell), where he rose from frontline retail operations in Pakistan to senior global leadership roles in Indonesia, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
During his tenure as CEO of Shell Pakistan Limited, Cheema oversaw a period of strategic and operational restructuring, navigating a challenging and competitive domestic energy market.
Most recently, he served as CEO of Karachi Hydrocarbon Terminal under the portfolio of VTTI B.V., managing one of Pakistan’s key petroleum import and storage facilities at Port Qasim.
Governance and board experience
Beyond executive leadership, Cheema has held several governance roles in Pakistan’s energy sector. These include serving as Chairman of Shell Pakistan Limited, as well as board memberships at Pakistan Refinery Limited and Pakistan Arab Pipeline Company. His roles have involved oversight of critical infrastructure in Pakistan’s downstream petroleum network.
Strategic expectations at PSO
In its statement, PSO said Cheema’s appointment reflects the company’s focus on strengthening leadership capacity amid a rapidly evolving energy landscape. It highlighted his international experience, operational expertise, and track record in managing complex energy systems as key strengths for guiding the organization through its next phase of growth and transformation.
Industry observers note that the appointment comes at a time when Pakistan’s energy sector is facing multiple pressures, including supply chain challenges, pricing volatility, and a growing need for efficiency in state-owned enterprises.
Cheema’s appointment is expected to bring continuity in operational management while also introducing global best practices in downstream energy operations as PSO navigates these challenges.
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