FRIDAY MARCH 22: Power sector: government has no intention to reverse reforms?

ISLAMABAD: The government has no intention of reversing power sector reforms implemented with the support of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and appointment of Wapda Chairman is to streamline co-ordination among the departments associated with power sector, an official of Ministry of Water and Power said.
"The appointment of Syed Raghib Shah, Chairman Water and Power Development Authority as power sector co-ordinator does not mean that the government has cartelised entire power sector," the official said. All the chief executive officers of the power distribution companies (Discos), generation companies (Gencos), National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC)/Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) and the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) will report directly to him for the purpose.
An official of the Ministry of Water said the move is not to bring entire power sector under the control of Chairman Wapda instead the appointment has been made with the spirit of turning the power sector around which, at present, has to pay over Rs 125 billion to Pakistan State Oil (PSO) on account of furnace oil supply. PSO last week reduced furnace oil supply to power sector by 7,500 tons per day. The company on the directives of Petroleum Ministry has on Thursday restored full furnace oil supply to power houses.