LAHORE: The Power Division on Friday replaced the newly-appointed Islamabad Electricity Supply Company’s Chief Executive Officer within a week of his posting.

Sources claim that the new appointment has been made under political pressure.

The government had earlier on Oct 26 issued a notification, asking Mr Wajid Ali Kazmi (Iesco’s General Manager-Development) to look after the charge of the company’s CEO on a temporary basis with immediate effect until further orders as a stop gap arrangement— an unhealthy practice prevailing in the ministry since long which empowers the respective minister and secretary to take decisions of their choice any time.

Iesco gets new CEO within a week

The ministry issued another notification on Nov 2 (Friday), posting Multan Electric Power Company’s General Manager (Operations) Shahid Iqbal Chaudhry in Iesco. He was also asked to look after the charge of Iesco CEO on a temporary basis with immediate effect until further orders.

“Mr Kazmi was assigned the task to look after the charge of the Iesco’s CEO after retirement of Basit Zaman. Before appointing Kazmi, the ministry had requested Mr Kahlid Nazir, a senior-most GM in the ministry, to look after the charge but refused to do so due to his retirement due in next two months,” said an official source in the power division.

The source claimed that some officers, including Shahid Iqbal Chaudhry from Mepco and two chief engineers from Iesco wanted to get the CEO slot as they were allegedly approaching the ministry through some influential political figures. “All these five were called on Thursday for an interview that was conducted by the power division’s minister Umer Ayub. And finally Mr Chaudhry, the most junior GM among the candidates, was made the Iesco CEO. It was just a formality. It is really ridiculous and an example of worst governance,” the source deplored.

Talking to Dawn, another official source in the ministry said the temporary appointment of CEOs in Discos was a great hurdle in the way of streamlining the affairs of Discos. All Discos, including Iesco, are autonomous bodies having independent board of directors (BoDs). “But practically, the ministry doesn’t bother the BoDs that are actually empowered under the law to shortlist the candidates and recommend appointment of CEOs for a period of two years. And finally the prime minister accords approval,” the source explained. Dawn tried to seek minister’s comment through his staff but got no response.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2018