ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday would start the process for appointment of pertinent chief executive officers (CEOs) of power distribution companies (DISCOs) and approve the selection of managing directors of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL).
In this regard, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will preside over the meeting that has seven agenda items.
So far, general managers (GM) and chief engineers have led DISCOs as CEOs on look after charge basis. This is the first time in two decades that regular appointments will be made on top positions of distribution companies.
Presently, ten distribution companies are headed by general managers or chief engineers posted in various DISCOs on look after basis as a stop-gap arrangement on a temporary basis. However, the Power Division has now proposed that the appointments be carried out on regular basis on terms and conditions determined by the government.
It may be mentioned here that the move comes on the heels of over Rs2.3 trillion circular debt in the power sector as of Sept 30, and about Rs350bn circular debt in the gas utilities, SNGPL and SSGCL, up from Rs1.2tr and about Rs120bn in 2018, respectively.
Candidates who would be considered for the said posts must possess at least 20 years of experience, including at least 10 years in the power sector with at least 3 years experience at senior management positions in addition to a bachelors degree in engineering and a masters degree in engineering, business, management, economics or finance.
The initial contract for the job shall be for a period of three years with annual performance evaluation to be conducted by the respective boards.
The Cabinet is expected to approve the appointments of Amir Tufail and Javed Hamdani as CEOs of SNGPL and SSGCL, respectively. While Hamdani and Amin Rajpoot are also being considered for positions in SSGCL. The Cabinet is also expected to clear an advertisement for the posts of CEOs and MDs of DISCOs.
According to sources privy to the information, the Power Division has asked the federal cabinet to allow CEOs of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) to continue holding these positions till regular appointments or for 90 days.
As per details, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhry, Mujahid Pervez Chatta and Mohsin Raza Khan have been working as CEOs of IESCO, LESCO and MEPCO, respectively. However, these officers are retiring within the next few weeks.
It is pertinent to mention that the Law and Justice Division has supported the proposal to allow CEOs of IESCO, LESCO and MEPCO for holding these positions, or for 90 days.
However, the Establishment Division has raised certain observations on the proposals and the proposed uniform guideline for DISCO boards containing uniform job requirements and terms and conditions.
