Faced with an imminent threat of protest from senior engineers of Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), who have warned of a complete black out against the entity’s dissolution on October 31 without addressing their service protection concerns, the government has directed Chairmen of the Board of Directors of all the power distribution companies (DISCOs) to immediately finalise names of candidates for appointing Chief Executive Officers (CEOs).
An official source said the directives were issued at a specially convened meeting, chaired by the Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar and attended by the chairmen of all boards. The meeting discussed the threat of senior engineers of under dissolution Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), who have warned the government that they could opt for an extreme step of complete black out if any changes were made in their service structure under the power sector reforms. Under the reforms plan the government will be notifying dissolution of PEPCO on October 31 to be replaced by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA).
Engineering staff of DISCOs have expressed concerns over the reforms that call for appointing CEOs and induction of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) from the private sector. The proposed reforms will limit chances of their promotion. Even after a request from the federal cabinet on October 5th that the names of the candidates should be immediately furnished, the DISCO boards have shown no progress.
The Ministry of Water and Power has assured the perturbed engineering staff that a post of Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be created at every DISCO to address their concerns over promotions and there will be no retrenchment after the appointment of
The Minister directed the chairmen of boards to immediately hold interviews of candidates short listed by the government and furnish names of at least three persons for appointment as CEOs to the Cabinet Committee on restructuring as soon as possible. The final appointment will be made by the Prime Minister.
