Pakistan's petroleum regulator has taken action against an oil and gas exploration company over the alleged misuse of confidential documents amid an ownership dispute and regulatory proceedings related to Spud Energy.
In a letter obtained by The Express Tribune, the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) has directed Frontier Holdings Limited (FHL) to clarify its stance on the unauthorized procurement and utilization of inquiry reports in legal and international matters. The Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions (DGPC) emphasized that the inquiry reports in question were never officially circulated or made public.
The Ministry raised concerns about how FHL obtained these documents and has asked the company to respond within seven working days. The letter called for clarification on the alleged unlawful procurement and misuse of the reports in various forums.
The regulatory intervention comes amid an ongoing dispute between FHL and Spud Energy, focusing on ownership changes and control issues that have attracted legal and regulatory scrutiny. The directive from the DGPC underscores a stricter regulatory approach on matters concerning document integrity and legal proceedings.
FHL has not provided a response to inquiries from The Express Tribune.
The recent developments are part of a broader legal battle over corporate control involving FHL and affiliated entities. In February 2026, the Islamabad High Court instructed the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) and the DGPC to take legal action against FHL and Spud Energy for an unauthorized change of effective control in violation of Pakistan's petroleum regulations.
The court's order stemmed from a transaction in early 2025, where Jura Energy Corporation allegedly transferred control of its corporate group, including FHL and Spud Energy, to IDL Investments through an offshore arrangement without government approval.
