A statement issued by the Prime Minister's House on Thursday clarified that appointment of Syed Farrukh Ali Shah as member of National Electronic Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) was notified on the persistent recommendation of the Punjab government. "The federal government has no role in the matter. It is for the provincial governments to exercise due diligence while making recommendations," the statement said.
The statement added that as per existing law, the National Electronic Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) shall consist of a Chairman and four members, one from each province. The law further provides that the members' appointment would be made by the federal government after considering the recommendations of the respective provincial governments.
In the case of Syed Farrukh Ali Shah, the newly appointed member of Nepra from Punjab, the government of the Punjab was requested to send a panel of three suitable officers for the vacant post. According to the statement, the government of Punjab recommended appointment of Syed Farrukh Ali Shah as member of Nepra, as representative of the Punjab.
The federal government once again requested the government of Punjab to reconsider the nomination of Syed Farrukh Ali Shah. The Punjab government insisted on the appointment of Syed Farrukh Ali Shah, pursuant to which he was notified as member of Nepra representing the Province of Punjab.