ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The government has decided to bring in a new chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) with the hope of effectively managing load­­shedding in summer.

A former secretary of commerce and water and power, Zafar Mehmood, who was heading the Punjab Public Service Commission, will now handle the most difficult and challenging task facing the government — to bring down power cuts to a bearable level.

A district management group (DMG) official of third common, Mr Mehmood carries an unblemished service record.

Syed Raghib Abbas Shah, the outgoing Wapda chairman, told Dawn that he had resigned because of personal reasons, including his ailing wife who needed constant care at home.

A civil engineer by profession from Sindh who joined Wapda in 1974 as junior

engineer, Mr Shah rose to the top in Sept 2012. Former PPP prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf sanctioned his appointment. According to one account, he was appointed to the position on the recommendation of Faryal Talpur, sister of former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

The resignation by Mr Shah, who held a tenured position of five years, didn’t surprise many in the power sector. Since electricity is at the top of the PML-N government’s agenda, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wasn’t happy with his performance from day one.

More than once he was reprimanded by the government over his performance. Having worked at a powerful position of member Wapda with his predecessor Shakil Durrani, Mr Shah is blamed for an inordinate delay in the completion of important projects such as Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project and Diamer-Bhasha dam. Other charges against him include diversion of funds from one project to another at personal whim and indulging in nepotism.

A government official privy to Mr Shah’s resignation told Dawn that the government was in possession of complaints against him by a foreign government involved in one of the mega projects. “Mr Shah himself knew his days were numbered within Wapda. He has been lucky to complete nearly one year with the present government. I think it’s a win-win situation for both the government and Mr Shah; otherwise, for his removal the government will formally have to charge-sheet him,” the official said.

However, Mr Shah insisted he had resigned of his own accord and was under no compulsion. He refused to comment on the allegations against him.

On the other hand, Zafar Mehmood, the incoming Wapda chairman, had worked as commerce secretary during 2011-12. He was a strong supporter of offering the most favoured nation status to India. He also worked as water and power secretary from June to October 2012, but didn’t go along well with then prime minister Raja Ashraf. Mr Mehmood was then sent to the establishment division as official on special duty (OSD).

Although summer is yet to arrive with its full fury, already six to eight hours of loadshedding has become common across the country.

Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif has already warned people to get ready for another sweltering summer with limited electricity, holding out a hope the situation will improve after three years.

Meanwhile, Raghib Abbas Shah confirmed on Thursday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had accepted his resignation.

Asked if he had tendered the resignation under pressure by the government, Mr Shah said: “There was no pressure at all. I have taken the decision because of some personal problems.”

He claimed that during his 19-month tenure a number of projects, including Satpara, Gomal Zam, Sabakzai dams and Jinnah Hydropower project, had been completed. A major technical work/consultation on Dasu and Diamier-Bahsa dams was also accomplished, he added.

Mr Shah had replaced Shakil Durrani, who relinquished the charge in September 2012 after completing the five-year tenure as chairman.