The Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (Pakistan State Oil) has announced the appointment of Mr. Jawwad Ahmed Cheema as its Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term, effective May 18, 2026, according to a notification submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Mr. Cheema will succeed interim CEO Mr. Abdus Sami and bring with him nearly three decades of experience in the global downstream energy sector. His appointment comes at a time when Pakistan’s energy industry is facing structural challenges, including rising import costs and shifting global energy dynamics.
A veteran energy executive, Mr. Cheema has over 28 years of experience spanning Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Asia. He spent 26 years with Shell, where he held senior leadership roles across multiple countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
During his tenure at Shell Pakistan Limited, he led major operational and strategic transformations in the country’s downstream energy market. He later served in global leadership positions, including Vice President of Strategy & Portfolio at Shell International B.V. in The Hague, where he oversaw global infrastructure portfolio strategy and supply chain optimisation.
He also held the role of Vice President of Shell Business Operations in Singapore, where he was responsible for expanding and restructuring global business process operations. Earlier, he led Shell’s retail fuels market entry in Indonesia, managing large-scale expansion in a high-growth emerging market.
More recently, Mr. Cheema served as CEO of Karachi Hydrocarbon Terminal (KHT), a key joint venture managing petroleum import and storage operations at Port Qasim. He has also held governance roles as Chairman of Shell Pakistan Limited and as a board member of Pakistan Refinery Limited and Pakistan Arab Pipeline Company.
PSO described the appointment as part of its leadership transition strategy at a time when Pakistan’s energy sector is undergoing significant transformation. Industry observers say the appointment of a globally experienced executive reflects the company’s focus on operational efficiency, supply chain stability, and strategic restructuring in a challenging energy environment.
