Wapda chief, Pepco managing director wrangling over transfers, postings

The newly appointed Chairman of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Shakil Durrani, and Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) Managing Director Munawar Baseer Ahmad are said to have locked horns over transfers and postings issue while the latter is reported to have sought federal government's help, sources in Pepco told Business Recorder from Lahore.
"You may recall the decision that detailed lists of assignments and posting of officers in the restructuring process would be first reviewed jointly by Pepco and General Manager Administration and finalised after mutually ascertaining the requirements.
This needs to be done to ensure a smooth and seamless transition so that essential work is not hampered or delayed," sources quoted Managing Director Pepco as writing to Wapda Chairman. He said that he was of the view that there were some anomalies that needed to be ratified, sources said.
They said that both the Pepco Managing Director and Wapda Chairman had mutually agreed that for the interim period, GM, administration would work for 3-6 months as Pepco MD to look after power wing-related matters, including postings, transfers, promotions, etc.
"This working relationship needs to be strengthened to enable a smooth transition, besides reconstitution of promotion boards of power wing to act as per service rules including Pepco representation and GM administration as Secretary so that promotion cases are not delayed," sources quoted Pepco MD as elaborating his viewpoint.
Wapda Chairman has also been advised that the matters which are within the competency of officers at the utility level be handled by them as per normal service structure and further approval at Pepco's level be obtained as per new management reporting structure. "As you are aware, we are in the process of chalking out requisite modalities for the companies, and Pepco head office and its board of director level to handle such matters in an effective and transparent manner.
Till such time (as) the fully revamped management system is functional, we will continue to seek your assistance to move forward with the restructuring plan," Wapda Chairman was assured by Pepco MD. Sources said that the issue had also been brought to the notice of Water and Power Secretary Ismail Qureshi, who is also Pepco Chairman.