PPL names Sikandar Ali Memon new CEO
Pakistan Petroleum Limited has appointed its Chief Operating Officer Sikandar Ali Memon as CEO and Managing Director effective September 21, 2025.
Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), one of the country’s leading exploration and production companies, has named Sikandar Ali Memon as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director following the conclusion of Imran Abbasy’s three-year tenure. The decision was announced after a board meeting held on September 19, 2025, with the appointment taking effect from September 21, 2025.PPL Discovers Reserves in Potwar Region
The company said in a statement that Memon, who has been serving as Chief Operating Officer since November 2023, will continue in the top role until his retirement or until a regular CEO is appointed. The board acknowledged Abbasy’s contributions, noting that he successfully completed his term with the company on September 20, 2025.
Memon brings more than three decades of international and domestic experience in oil and gas production. He has worked with major global energy companies, including British Petroleum (BP), Aramco, Petronas, Occidental Petroleum, and United Energy Pakistan (UEP). His career has spanned diverse regions, covering South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, where he has held senior technical and leadership roles.
Before joining PPL, Memon served as Head of Production Engineering and Technology at UEP, overseeing upstream production operations. Earlier, he worked as Manager Petroleum Engineering and Operations at ADNOC Group in the United Arab Emirates, Head of Technical Support Unit at Saudi Aramco, and Senior Production Technologist at Petronas in Malaysia. In Pakistan, he held the position of Senior Staff Engineer at BP.
His appointment signals continuity at PPL during a period when Pakistan’s energy sector faces mounting challenges, including rising import bills, falling natural gas reserves, and increasing demand for domestic production. Industry observers note that Memon’s extensive international exposure could help PPL adopt advanced technologies and practices to strengthen output and efficiency.
PPL, which was incorporated in 1950, plays a central role in Pakistan’s upstream sector, supplying nearly 20% of the country’s total gas production. The company has historically been a key contributor to Pakistan’s energy security, but in recent years has faced pressure from declining reserves and regulatory hurdles.
The leadership transition at PPL comes at a time when state-owned enterprises are under scrutiny for governance reforms. The appointment of a seasoned petroleum engineer with global credentials may also be viewed as a step toward professionalizing management in strategic national companies.
Memon, a graduate in petroleum engineering from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in Sindh, has also undertaken advanced training at the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi. His background combines technical expertise with operational leadership, a skill set that industry experts say is increasingly vital as Pakistan struggles to reduce its reliance on imported LNG and boost indigenous resources.
PPL has historically seen shifts in leadership during periods of strategic redirection. Previous appointments, including Abbasy’s tenure since 2022, were marked by efforts to stabilize operations amid volatile global energy markets. With Memon at the helm, the company is expected to prioritize production efficiency, technology adoption, and international partnerships to strengthen exploration capacity.
As he assumes charge on September 21, 2025, stakeholders will be closely watching how Memon balances PPL’s operational challenges with broader energy sector reforms. His success could influence not only the company’s performance but also Pakistan’s wider energy security strategy in the years ahead.
In announcing his appointment, the PPL board expressed confidence in his leadership and extended good wishes to Abbasy, who steps down after completing his three-year term. The transition underscores continuity at the top of one of Pakistan’s most vital energy firms, as the industry navigates a challenging environment.
With Sikandar Ali Memon now steering the company, Pakistan Petroleum Limited enters a new leadership phase amid the pressing need for stronger exploration efforts and reduced reliance on imported fuels.
