Jawwad Cheema new PSO Boss

KARACHI: Jawwad Ahmed Cheema has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan State Oil (PSO).
The appointment has been made for a period of three years after receiving approval from the company’s Board of Management. His appointment will take effect from May 18, 2026.
Jawwad Cheema is a distinguished leader with over 26 years of experience in the oil & gas sector. His career is marked by a series of strategic and operational leadership roles, showcasing his ability to drive business transformation across global markets, including Pakistan and other developing regions. With extensive hands-on experience in managing Boardlevel responsibilities and engaging with government regulatory authorities in Pakistan, Singapore, and Indonesia, Jawwad possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of regulated sectors and the unique challenges of developing markets.
As a former CEO and Managing Director of Shell Pakistan Limited (2016-2018), Jawwad successfully led a publicly listed company with $2 billion in revenue, achieving a remarkable doubling of its share price within two years. His leadership in Board management extends to both Pakistan and Shell PLC, where he played a key role in ensuring robust corporate governance, ethical decision-making, and strategic alignment with corporate goals. Jawwad’s expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and managing relationships with senior stakeholders, including government bodies and regulatory authorities, has been instrumental in driving business success.
In his role as Vice President for Business Process Outsourcing at Shell, Jawwad led significant initiatives in standardization, business process redesign, and simplification, overseeing a workforce of over 26,000 employees across five global locations. He was pivotal in the development and execution of integrated downstream strategies across multiple countries. This included focusing on retail marketing, refinery operations, and supply chain optimization, which delivered over $300 million in savings through portfolio optimization and capital discipline. His strategic leadership involved overseeing a spectrum of projects, from identifying growth opportunities to managing divestment cases, executing new market entries, and orchestrating business turnaround eƯorts. These endeavors were crafted to propel Downstream growth and unlock alternative sources of value, showcasing his prowess in developing and implementing business strategies that align with organizational aspirations.
Jawwad’s experience also includes real estate portfolio planning, strategy, and facilities management, complemented by his oversight of global capital development projects, averaging over $375 million annually. His strategic approach to retail network planning and operations, combined with his strong stakeholder management skills, has consistently driven operational excellence and business growth.
With a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape, particularly in Pakistan, Jawwad excels in engaging with government bodies, managing regulatory frameworks, and building strong relationships with senior stakeholders. His ability to align business strategies with regulatory requirements and advocate for sustainable practices positions him as a visionary leader ready to steer organizations through complex challenges.
Jawwad Cheema brings a wealth of experience, strategic insight, and proven leadership capabilities to a CEO role, making him well-equipped to contribute to the growth and success of any organization operating in dynamic and challenging environments.
PSO, the country’s largest state-owned oil marketing company, plays a key role in ensuring fuel supply across Pakistan. The appointment of a new CEO comes at a time when the energy sector is facing multiple challenges, including supply management and financial sustainability. Ends