HYDERABAD: Newly appo­inted chief executive officer of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) could not assume his charge on Tuesday as agitating officers and workers blocked his way into the power utility’s headquarters at the main entrance.

Recommended by Hesco’s board of directors, Rehan Hamid was to take the charge of its CEO but protesting officers and workers raising slogans did not let him enter the headquarters. He kept waiting for several hours outside and eventually had to return without assuming the charge.

Appointment of the Hesco CEO has been challenged.

A division bench of Sindh High Court’s Hyderabad circuit comprising Justice Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan and Justice Mohammad Saleem Jessar has issued notices to respondents for June 9 on two separate constitutional petitions.

Rehan Hamid made to turn away without assuming charge of CEO

Ishrat Ali Lohar is representing petitioners Hesco Engineers and Officers Association through Advocate Ghulam Sarwar and others whereas petitioner All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union is represented by Advocate Iqbal Ahmed Khan.

The association has pleaded that Hesco officers are being denied their due promotion despite the fact that they were fit for the post of CEO.

On Tuesday, protesting Hesco officers, engineers and workers gathered at its headquarters before the nominated CEO’s arrival. Rehan Hamid’s name for the post is said to have been recommended by Hesco’s board of directors and notified by the ministry of energy through a letter dated June 1, which concurred with the board’s recommendation. He has been appointed for three years on a contract basis.

The protesting workers were led by Iqbal Ahmed Khan and Azam Khan and the officers by Deen Mohammad and Zulfiqar Memon. The protesters held a sit-in at the headquarters’ gate. In the meantime, Wapda CBA’s leader Abdul Latif Nizamani and Raeesul Ahad also arrived. Mr Hamid reached the headquarters amid tight security but the protesters kept the gate locked to prevent him from entering and started raising slogans against him.

Cantonment ASP Dr Ayaz along with police personnel was present there to maintain law and order.

Mr Nizamani and Mr Ahad spoke to Mr Hamid to inform him that as per the ministry’s order, Hesco’s board of directors had to endorse appointment of a CEO and only after the board’s endorsement, he could take charge. They claimed that due process was not completed.

The officers’ association and workers’ union have announced a tool-down strike for Wednesday (June 2).

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2021