Power Planning and Monitoring Company failed to meet key targets: AGP
ISLAMABAD: The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has said Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) has failed to achieve multiple Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets assigned under the National Electricity Plan (NEP) 2023-27 up to the FY 2024-25.
Section-6.2.4 of National Electricity Policy-2021 provides that for the purposes of section 6.2 and 5.3.5, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) may designate any entity (or entities) to perform the tasks assigned under these sections.
According to Ministry of Energy (Power Division) letter of October 30, 2023, in pursuance to the National Action Plan (2023-27), PPMC and PIU of CPPA-G as “designated entities” for implementation of priority areas (tasks) as mentioned against each. After PPMC is fully manned, it would be a sole designated entity. During audit of the accounts of MD, PPMC Islamabad for 2024-25, it was observed that Designated Entity, ie, PPMC had failed to achieve multiple Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets assigned under the NEP 2023-27 upto the FY 2024-25.
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These included non-achievement of critical deliverables such as development of the integrated energy plan design, establishment of the Central Electrification Registry, institutionalization of strategic risk management, preparation of system value and tariff evaluation frameworks, operationalisation of MRV mechanism for GHG emissions, establishment of the R&D Secretariat, development of the Central Platform for R&D, initiation of minimum required R&D projects, and publishing of due-diligence and electrification reports within mandated timelines.
According to AGP, the lapse occurred due to insufficient institutional capacity, delays in staffing and operationalisation of PPMC, lack of a robust internal monitoring mechanism for tracking NEP deliverables, and inadequate coordination with CPPA-G and other sectoral stakeholders.
Furthermore, strategic planning functions were not fully established, resulting in weak implementation oversight and slow progress on mandated tasks. Failure to meet these NEP targets has resulted in delays in sectoral reforms, weakened progress toward national electrification, de-carbonization, risk management, and R&D institutionalization objectives, and compromised the Government’s ability to implement the National Action Plan (2023-27) within stipulated timelines.
“Inefficient performance resulted in non-achievement of key deliverables of the National Electricity Plan 2023-27 by designated entity PPMC upto the period 2024-25,” the AGP said adding that the matter was taken up with the management in December, 2025. No reply was received to date.
Audit has recommended that PPMC should immediately develop and implement a robust action plan to achieve all pending NEP 2023-27 deliverables within stipulated timelines. The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) should strengthen monitoring, reporting,
The AGP further stated that during audit of the accounts of MD, PPMC Islamabad for 2024-25, it was observed that despite the Cabinet’s approval to transfer the function of developing uniform designs, standards, and specifications (11kV and below) for distribution sector from NGC/NTDC to PPMC, and subsequent instructions by Power Division on 19.05.2025, the designated function was neither timely established nor fully operationalised.
The BoD in its meeting held on April 10,2025 approved the inclusion of the strategy energy Financing and Design and Standards functions within the organizational structure of PPMC and HR and Legal Committee in its 139th meeting of May 26, 2025 approved the 15 posts excluding support staff. However, delays persisted in deployment of technical HR, transfer of documentation, systems handover, and establishment of operational readiness. As a result, functional control over distribution design and specifications remained fragmented between NGC/NTDC and PPMC.
The AGP maintained that this delay, caused by inadequate follow-up after Cabinet approval, absence of a structured implementation roadmap, and slow migration of resources, has led to non-uniform technical standards across DISCOs, risks of procurement and design inconsistencies, potential quality deviations, and hindered achievement of the National Electricity Policy 2021 goal of a standardized, efficient, and optimized distribution system.
Non-adherence to cabinet directive and NEP-2021 resulted in delayed transfer and non-operationalisation of design, standards and specification (DSS) function from NGC to PPM? upto the period 2024-25. The matter was taken up with the management in December, 2025. No reply was received to date.
Audit recommended that PPMC should expedite full operationalisation of the design & standards function by completing staff deployment, system transfer, and implementation milestones in line with cabinet directives and NEP-2021.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026