The Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power on Monday recommended the removal of all officers directly appointed in all the electric distribution companies (Discos) or those who have got extension of tenure after retirement.
The committee which met here with Zahid Khan in the chair observed that such appointments were not only in the violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling but also breached the right of promotion of regular employees of an organisation.
During a briefing, the committee was apprised that as many as 28 officers had been awarded extensions since 2008 of whom contracts of 18 had been terminated on completion of tenure while the remaining 10 were yet in service.
The committee members were of the view that the direct appointments on only a highly technical post was justifiable, otherwise such practice would create unrest among the employees and demoralise them.
They said it was difficult for the government to hold the contract officers accountable for their performance, adding such officers spent most of their tenure in uncertainty.
Water and Power Secretary Zafar Mehmood endorsed the committee members; views and said that such appointments could be made sparingly and on the need-based criterion.
The committee expressed concern over the absence of Water and Power Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar.
However, the secretary said that he would convey the committee’s concerns to him and report back. The committee recommended the transfer of two MEPCO officers for poor performance as well as misbehaving with committee member Khalida Parveen. In response, the secretary immediately ordered their transfers and suspensions.
Earlier, the committee head criticised the Mepco official, questioning the absence of the company’s chief executive despite being called by the committee.
However, the committee head expelled the Mepco’s HR director from the meeting and ordered him to call his boss.
The committee decided to call Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan high-ups to give briefing on why the power distribution companies had been formed and also on the performance of their board of directors mandated to help steer the country out of the power crisis.
