The Ministry of Water and Power on Tuesday notified termination from service of two incumbent chief executive officers of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) with immediate effect.
An official source said that the officers were removed on a large number of complaints. However, he added that they were on ‘acting charge’ and whenever they exerted their independence such a disciplinary action was possible.
It is important to mention that nearly all CEOs of DISCOs are working on acting charge. The government gave a firm commitment two years ago to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that professionals will be inducted as CEOs and CFOs in DISCOs. However, no professional from the private sector has made it to the state-owned companies of the power sector.
Under the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s corporate companies’ rules for state owned enterprises, a CEO can be appointed and removed only by the board of directors of the respective company. However, since most of the CEOs are on acting basis, they can be removed by the ministry.
An office order of the Ministry of Water and Power, issued by the DISCOs section officer said: “Consequent upon approval of the competent authority, services of Qaisar Zaman, holding charge of LESCO CEO on temporary basis since his retirement as general manager on May 31, 2016, are hereby terminated with immediate effect.”
LESCO General Manager (Technical) Muhammad Anwer has been transferred and posted as LESCO CEO as a stopgap arrangement with immediate effect and until further orders.
A separate office order said: “Consequent upon approval of the competent authority, services of Akhtar Randhawa, holding charge of CEO HESCO on temporary basis since his retirement as general manager on May 24, 2016 are hereby terminated with immediate effect.”
LESCO Director (Operations) Asad Ullah Khan has been transferred and posted as HESCO CEO as a stop gap arrangement with immediate effect and until further orders.
