Pakistan State Oil Company Limited has announced the appointment of Jawwad Ahmed Cheema as its new Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term, effective May 18, 2026.
The decision was approved by PSO’s Board of Management and formally disclosed in a notification to the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Cheema will take over from interim CEO Abdus Sami, who has been leading the company on a temporary basis.
Extensive global energy leadership
Cheema brings more than 28 years of experience in the downstream energy sector, including nearly two decades in senior leadership positions across Asia Pacific, Europe, and South Asia.
His professional expertise spans retail fuels, lubricants, storage and terminal infrastructure, supply chain management, corporate strategy, and international portfolio operations.
A significant portion of his career was spent with Royal Dutch Shell, where he served for 26 years in progressively senior roles in Pakistan, Indonesia, Singapore, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
He previously held the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Pakistan Limited, where he led the company through a period of strategic restructuring and operational transformation amid a challenging energy market.
Strategic roles at Shell International
Beyond Pakistan, Cheema held several high-profile international appointments. These included Vice President of Strategy and Portfolio at Shell International in The Hague, where he oversaw global portfolio planning, and Vice President of Shell Business Operations in Singapore, responsible for large-scale business process and operational transformation initiatives.
Recent role at Karachi Hydrocarbon Terminal
Most recently, Cheema served as Chief Executive Officer of Karachi Hydrocarbon Terminal, which manages one of Pakistan’s most critical petroleum import and distribution facilities at Port Qasim.
Leadership transition at PSO
His appointment comes at a pivotal time for PSO, as the company navigates volatility in global energy markets, domestic fuel supply challenges, and ongoing reforms in Pakistan’s energy sector. Industry observers expect Cheema’s international experience and strategic background to play a key role in strengthening PSO’s operational resilience, governance, and long-term growth strategy.
With his tenure set to begin in May 2026, PSO aims to leverage Cheema’s leadership to reinforce its position as Pakistan’s largest energy company and a cornerstone of the country’s fuel supply chain.
