Tahir Basharat Cheema appointed Chairman EMC

The Federal government has appointed former Managing Director Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), Tahir Basharat Cheema as Chairman of Energy Management Cell (EMC) to manage load shedding in the country. According to the notification, the EMC would be consisted Mohammad Rafique Butt, Masood Akhtar, GM NPCC, Ijaz Rafiq Qureshi, DG Energy Management & Conservation and one member from each Disco.
The Cell would ensure to maintain sufficient fuel stock by exercising due vigilance in close co-ordination with IPPs and GENCOs and PSO for no or minimum load shedding regime. Also, the EMC will co-ordinate with Discos to endorse the schedule of load management in true spirit and maximum/optimal utilisation of available capacity in most effective and efficient manner to streamline power generation. The committee would evolve effective and viable plan to augment power generation and subsequent implementation of load management.
It would also come up with specific recommendations to reduce load shedding and prevent forced load shedding. The EMC would report to Secretary, Ministry of Water & Power, added the notification.
It may be noted that the government was making serious efforts in overcoming energy crisis in the country. However, Cheema has already served as MD Pepco and power shortfall continued without any big change on production side. Therefore, majority of analysts believe that it is beginning of the wrapping up of the Pepco as managing authority of Discos.