The presumptive Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reportedly selected Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz stalwart from Sialkot Khawaja Mohammad Asif as Minister for Water and Power for the 18-member Federal Cabinet. Khawaja Asif, who has already served as Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources for a brief period in PPP and PML-N coalition government, has been briefed by former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, who resigned due to what is widely believed as the government''s reluctance to implement power sector and taxation reforms as agreed with the International Monetary Fund under the November 2008 Standby Arrangement.

The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) spokesman has explained the Wapda's role in electricity load shedding in the country. Wapda spokesman has made it clear that subsequent to introduction of the power sector reforms and unbundling of Wapda's Power Wing in 2007, Wapda's mandate now includes only the construction of new dams and hydropower projects and operation and maintenance of the existing hydel power stations, whereas rest of the matters relating to power sector including load shedding do not fall within the ambit of Wapda.

Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) in collaboration with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) disconnected power supply to 32 more industrial, commercial defaulters in Peshawar Circle on non-payment of about Rs 15 million.