Allocation of functions: PPMC-NGC dispute again lands on power regulator’s table

ISLAMABAD: A brawl between Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) officially “unregistered” entity of Power Division and National Grid Company (erstwhile NTDC) over “institutional allocation of distribution related design, standards and specifications and material inspection functions has reportedly again landed in National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

On August 24, 2026 NEPRA, through a communication with MD NGC had directed “the functions assigned to NGC under the Business Transfer Agreement (BTA), assigned between WAPDA and NYDC (now NGC) and granted transmission licence 2002 to NTDC (now NGC) shall remain unchanged.

Specifically, NGC shall continue to undertake the development of standards and specifications, as well as material inspection functions, as it was performing these functions at the time of the grant of its initial transmission licence in 2002.

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Power Division, sources said, also played its mediatory role at the highest level to resolve this issue, but things are still unresolved as both the entities of Power Division are engaged in writing letters, claiming that development of standards and specifications, as well as material inspection functions are their specific jurisdiction.

NGC’s Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, Maria Rafique, in a letter to Registrar NEPRA dated September 17, 2026 referred to the meeting convened by the Power Division with NGC and PPMC concerning the subject matter, which was held prior to the issuance of the Power Division’s letter of September 17, 2026.

According to NGC, the letter also refers to NEPRA’s letter of August 24, 2026, which was further circulated to the Power Division and the DISCOs through letter of September 4, 2026. ln addition, the referenced letter issued by NGC’s Chief Engineer (HV & SC Lab) has also been shared with NEPRA.

NGC has also shared its letter of September 15, 2026, addressed to the Ministry in response to PPMC’s letter, setting out NGC’s legal standing to continue carrying out the Standards & Specification (S&S) and Material Inspection (Ml) functions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026