Don’t install new transformers till 25th, Senate panel tells govt

Warns Power Division to remove transformers from guest houses of politicians

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Power recommended the government to abstain from installing new transformers or poles in any part of the country till general elections.

The committee observed that politicians in some constituencies were roaming with transformers in their vehicles while others have stored them in their guest houses and the trend needs to stop.

The committee, which met under the Chairmanship of Senator Fida Muhammad, also warned that if the transformers in the guest houses of politicians were not removed, they are going to hand over the case to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

It recommended the Power Division to take strong exception to installation of any new transformers or towers in any part of the country in this transition period before elections.

The committee was informed by the power division that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has already issued directives to the ministries of stopping all development work before July 25 and assured that a follow up meeting with CEOs of power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) will also be held in this regard.

Additional Secretary Power division informed that they are only changing the defective transformers and no new transformer is being installed. The committee was also informed that they are considering the transfer posting of SDOs and Xian so they will not influence the political process.



It asked the ministry of power to submit a copy of the agreement of supply of 650MW to K-Electric from the national grid in the next meeting. Senator Nauman Wazir inquired who had permitted the provision of 650 MW electricity to K-Electric.

The committee sought details about the continuous supply despite the expiry of contract in 2015. It also expressed anger over the absence of the K-Electric CEO and said that chairman senate is also searching for the CEO but he is behaving like ‘Firon’(Pharaoh) and not ready to meet him. The committee asked the officials of the K-Electric not to come to the next meeting without their CEO.

The officials of the K Electric informed that the company has invested US$1.7 billion in the power generation from 2009 to 2017. The officials informed the panel that due to ABC cables, the number of illegal connections (Kunda) has been reduced. The peak demand of the company is 3,518 MW while the supply is 3,000, informed the officials. Around 63 per cent of the K-electric area is free of loadshedding.

The committee was briefed about Lakhra power plant and it was informed that Lakhra coal power plant is on number 72 on the merit order. The CEO of the plant informed that the plant incurs Rs400 million losses annually and when shut down the losses are double in the same period. Senator Maula Bakhsh Chandio said that all this is being done for selling the plant.

The committee expressed anger over the absence of the Energy Minister and Secretary Power Division. The additional secretary informed the committee that the secretary was in the court hence did not come for the meeting.

The committee decided to take this matter in detail in the meeting of the sub-committee next Wednesday and asked the CEO to submit the demands for up-gradation and the documents in its support.



It has also asked the Power division to sit with the Engineering Development Board under the Ministry of Industries to define continuous process of power in different areas for all DISCOs from K-Electric to Tribal Areas Electricity Supply Company (TESCO).

The committee was told by Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) CEO that the problem of loadshedding and tripping of feeders in Hattar Industrial Estate will be resolved in one month’s time after converting the 400/5 series panels to 800/5 series panels.

While discussing the up-gradation of scales of various officers of DISCOs from BPS-19 to BPS-20, the committee was informed that the committee for scale up-gradation sits twice a year and currently 146 people are eligible for up-gradation of posts.

The committee sought details of the promotion criteria along with Key Performance Indicators and recommended that promotions and up-gradations should be competency based and not time based.