ISLAMABAD: In a rather unusual move, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has objected to criticism by a federal minister and a member of Sindh cabinet.

In a July 11 press talk, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali had said that 250 Wapda workers had been sacked for corruption. But Wapda chairman Zafar Mahmood has told the minister that no such sackings have taken place in recent history.

In a letter to the water and power ministry, Mr Mahmood also reminded Mr Ali that Wapda was separated from the power sector in 2007, much before the latter had assumed charge of a junior minister. Therefore, Wapda should not be blamed for any deficiencies or failures in the power sector.

In his letter, Mr Mahmood said: “The news regarding sacking of Wapda employees attributed to you may not have been reported correctly or it may be just ‘a slip of tongue’, but coming as it did from you the news item has very adversely impacted the image of Wapda.”

The Wapda chairman went on to request the minister to express regrets over his statement. “May I request you to issue a clarification to the media regarding the incorrect report,” wrote Mr Mahmood in the letter seen by Dawn.

Chairman says Wapda should not be blamed for failures in the power sector

The Wapda chief said he had personally written letters to various opinion-makers, journalists, anchorpersons, editors and columnists and explained to them his organisation’s mandate and role following the power sector reforms.

Separately, Mr Mahmood wrote a letter to Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon about the latter’s recent and what he called “uncalled for criticism of Wapda”.

Talking about power breakdowns in Karachi, Mr Memon had on July 13 “cautioned the federal government, Wapda and Nepra to change their attitude and policy towards Sindh and stop

creating problems for the people”, the letter pointed out and added the statement gave the impression that Wapda was responsible for the electricity crisis.

“Let me inform you that subsequent to power sector reforms and bifurcation of Wapda’s power wing in 2007, Wapda now only deals with construction of dams and hydropower projects and operation and maintenance of the existing hydropower stations,” the Wapda chairman said in his letter.

He explained that except for hydropower generation in the public sector, all other matters related to electricity came under the domain of power generation companies (Gencos), the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) and distribution companies (Discos). These companies were functioning independently and Wapda had no relationship with them.

“Thus blaming Wapda for an act that does not fall within its mandate appears to be unfair; as such statements based on misperceptions adversely impact the image of Wapda,” wrote the Wapda chairman.

Mr Mahmood also urged the provincial minister to educate himself about ground realities and to learn about the role and functions of Wapda.

An official of the water and power ministry said it was rather interesting to learn that the state minister didn’t know much about the functions of Wapda. “Who else should better differentiate between Wapda (a water-specific organisation) and power sector’s corporate entities than the water and power minister,” he wondered.

“Mr Abid Sher Ali was caught on the wrong foot and bowled out by a senior civil servant,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2015

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