From 2015 to 2017, Paknejad took on the roles of CEO and vice chairman of the board of directors at the Niko Company. On August 11, 2024, he was presented to the Islamic Council as the candidate for the position of oil minister in the 14th government.[5]
^"معاون مدیرعامل در امور تولید" [Deputy CEO in production affairs]. National Iranian Oil Company. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
^"سوابق اجرایی و علمی وزرای پیشنهادی دولت چهاردهم" [Executive and scientific records of the proposed ministers of the 14th government]. Islamic Republic News Agency (in Persian). August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.