The government has informed USAID that Boards of Directors (BoDs) of two power distribution companies-Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco), and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco)--have been reconstituted under Power Sector Reforms Programme (PSRP), backed by international financial institutions (IFIs), sources close to Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission told Business Recorder.
The United States (US) is implementing its energy programme through USAID to overcome energy crisis in Pakistan. Under Power Sector Reforms, USAID is working in close collaboration with the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Water and Power to improve efficiency of power distribution companies (discos). The Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Dr Nadeemul Haq, is playing a key role in implementing the power sector reform programme.
According to documents, the USAID proposed that the government should appoint chairs as well as members of the boards of directors (BoDs) of Lesco and Pesco, who are apolitical, and professional, with known integrity. The Cabinet Committee on Reconstructing (CCOR) in its meeting held on August 3, 2010 had decided that autonomy to the discos, gencos and NTDC should be granted through restructured independent boards of directors. It was also decided to appoint professional chief executive officers (CEOs) of discos, gencos and NTDC under reform programme to improve efficiency of discos, which were facing higher distribution and line losses due to poor management system.
USAID has been informed that the government had appointed Gohar Ijaz as chairman of Lesco board. Gohar is also chairman of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA). Other board members include Professor Jamshed A Khan Associate Dean, Executive Education of Production and Operation Management and Computer Applications at LUMS, Javaid Hussain, former Managing Director (MD) of SSGC and SNGPL, Joint Secretary (JS) Power Ms Zarine Aziz, former President of Women Bank Ltd, Surraiya Anwer, Dr Akmal Hussain, Fazal Ahmad Khan Ex-Member Power and Iftikahr Khalil Energy Specialist, Ex-MS Nespak.
Ex Member, Water Engineer Tariq has been appointed as Chairman of Pesco BoD. Other members on Pesco board include Hasamuddin Bangash Ex-Member, Water (Engineer), Nauman Wazir CEO Frontier Foundry (Pvt) Ltd, Salman Burney MD Glaxo Smith Kline Pakistan, Professor Nasir Ali Khan Director Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Haji Javed Industrialist, Riaz Arshad President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, JS Power and Raziuddin former MD OGDC.