Pakistan Refinery Appoints Aftab Husain As Interim Board Chairman
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✧ GENERATE BRIEFING
Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) has appointed former Managing Director and CEO Aftab Husain as the interim Chairman of its Board of Directors. The appointment was approved via a circular resolution dated October 14, 2026, and communicated to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) under Section 96 of the Securities Act, 2015. Husain replaces corporate veteran Tariq Kirmani, who formally resigned on October 9, 2026, citing health reasons after five decades of executive leadership across top-tier public and private entities. Key governance, technical, and strategic dynamics include: Executive Profile & Credentials: Husain holds a degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from IBA Karachi. He possesses over 45 years of refining industry experience, having previously served as PRL's MD & CEO from 2011 to 2019. Policy & Industry Alignment: A current board member of PRL and the Petroleum Institute of Pakistan (PIP), Husain has served on the boards of PARCO and PGMCL.
Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) has appointed Aftab Husain as interim chairman of its board, following the resignation of Tariq Kirmani on health grounds.
The listed refinery informed the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday that its board had approved Husain’s appointment through a circular resolution dated October 14, 2026. The appointment took effect immediately.
Professional Profile and Industry Experience
Husain previously served as PRL’s managing director and chief executive officer from 2011 to 2019. He is currently a member of the boards of PRL and the Petroleum Institute of Pakistan.
He has also served on the boards of Pakistan-Arab Refinery Company (PARCO) and Pak Gease Manufacturing Company Limited (PGMCL), bringing extensive experience across Pakistan’s energy and petroleum sectors.
A chemical engineer with a Master of Public Administration degree from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, Husain has more than 45 years of experience in oil refining. His professional background includes leadership of operational, technical and commercial functions at PRL.
Policy Engagement and Leadership Transition
Husain has also participated in government committees and working groups dealing with oil pricing mechanisms, deregulation, refinery-sector issues and the formulation of Pakistan’s Refining Policy 2023.
His appointment follows Kirmani’s resignation as PRL chairman and director, effective October 9, 2026. Kirmani stepped down citing health reasons after a corporate career spanning more than five decades, including senior leadership roles at Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The interim appointment places an experienced refinery-sector executive at the head of PRL’s board while the company continues its operations and pursues its development plans.
