Unexplained absence of power secretary: Scheduled PPIB BoD meeting called off

ISLAMABAD: Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB) on Friday called off a scheduled meeting of its Board of Directors (BoD) due to unexplained absence of Secretary Power Division, Omar Rasul, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

Secretary Power, sources said, was absent from his office since Wednesday afternoon due to serious differences with those who are at the helm of affairs.

The sources said, Secretary Power Division has submitted in writing to the Establishment Division that he cannot continue to work in the present circumstances.

"Law Ministry has confirmed that Secretary Power has submitted a written statement in this regard. However, negotiations are in progress with him for withdrawal of letter," the sources added.

Presently, the Power Division is receiving directions from six or seven "official and unofficial" individuals and the sources said, adding that most of the senior officials are on the run.

Former Secretary, Irfan Ali, who was made an OSD due to "unexplained" reasons, is still being denied posting with his retirement due in the next 7or 8 months. His summaries for posting are being repeatedly rejected.

According to official documents, PPIB Board was scheduled to discuss the following agenda: (i) compliance report on decisions taken in the 127th and 128th meeting; (ii) 1263.2 MW RLNG-based independent power generation project near Trimmu Barrage- extension in financial closing date; (iii) board committee report on Grange Power Limited;(iv) amendment in the Power Policy 2015 for hydropower projects;(v) security package for small hydropower projects;(vi) application of provincial quota in PPIB;(vii) Board Committee report on issuance of NoC to M/s Laraib Energy Limited for obtaining working capital financing ;(viii) Siddiqsons Energy Limited-330 MW Thar coal-based power projects ;(ix) PPIB annual report 2019;(x) fee payment to members for attending meetings of Board Committees;(xi) supplementary budget 2020-21 and ;(xii) presentation on Thar coal based power generation projects.

The sources said, Minister for Power, Omar Ayub, who was looking visibly perturbed, visited offices of PPIB on Friday before noon and directed the meeting of the Board be called off.

When contacted, Managing Director, PPIB, Shah Jahan Mirza, said the meeting has been cancelled due to "other" pressing engagements of Minister.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020