ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Tuesday directed the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to conduct comprehensive investigations into the performance of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as well as capacity payments, energy payments, and extensions granted to these IPPs.

Directions were also issued to Nepra to submit a detailed comparative report to the committee.

Parliamentarians expressed serious concerns over the rising cost of electricity and took notice of alleged over-invoicing, extensions beyond agreed timelines, and the absence of an effective mechanism for periodic verification of actual generation capacity by the regulator.

Nepra briefed the committee regarding tariff determination, capacity payments, energy payments to IPPs and extensions granted to IPPs beyond the expiry of their contractual terms.

Panel wants halt to reported appointments of PAOs from private sector

The committee also took up the prolonged delay in approval of 11 kV vacuum circuit breakers. Nepra informed the committee that a decision is expected by the end of the current month. However, the committee deferred further discussion and directed that all relevant stakeholders be invited to the next meeting.

The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat was presided over by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla to deliberate on a wide range of matters relating to civil service reforms, governance, regulation, and institutional transparency.

Members of the committee discussed a calling attention notice regarding the government’s reported decision to appoint Principal Accounting Officers (PAOs) from the private sector.

The Committee observed that, under the constitutional framework, PAOs perform a pivotal role in the day-to-day administration of Ministries and Divisions and act as custodians of public accountability and financial discipline.

The Secretary, Establishment Division, informed the Committee that no such appointments had been made.

However, taking serious notice of advertisements issued in this regard, the committee strongly recommended that no appointment of PAOs from the private sector be made in violation of the law.

The committee also reviewed a consumer complaint against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited regarding an excessive gas bill amounting to Rs700,000 issued to a domestic consumer.

The committee questioned the conduct of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) in handling the appeal and directed the secretary, Establishment Division, to personally examine the matter and ensure its resolution.

Discussion on measures to ensure the due share of provinces in all federal services and corporations was referred to the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution as the appropriate forum.

The committee further discussed matters relating to the Civil Service Examination, including the induction mechanism, selection criteria, and the high failure ratio in CSS examinations.

Concerns were raised regarding reports circulating on social media alleging unusually high interview marks awarded to recent CSS toppers. The FPSC representative informed the committee that detailed marks are disclosed only to the candidates concerned. However, the committee directed the relevant authorities to submit a detailed written reply along with complete results in the next meeting.

The meeting was attended by Senator Saadia Abbasi, Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, and Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, while Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan participated virtually via Zoom. Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Senator Jan Muhammad, and Senator Saifullah Abro also attended the meeting as movers of agenda items.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026