Pakistan

NTDC shortlists candidate demanding fabulous pay

Aizaz Ahmed, a candidate working abroad, has demanded $15,000 to work as company’s managing director

Our Correspondent February 15, 2021

Apart from laying new transmission lines, the company has to upgrade its entire system to provide support for an additional load of around 10,000MW, which is expected to be added to the national grid by 2018. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:

The National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Energy, has shortlisted a panel of four senior officers, including a candidate demanding extraordinary salary, for appointment as the company’s managing director.

Among the four nominations, Aizaz Ahmed, a candidate working abroad, has demanded $15,000 (approximately Rs2.4 million) salary plus MP1 scale benefits.

According to sources within the energy ministry, the final decision for the appointment will be taken by the federal cabinet.

NTDC’s Board of Directors advertised the post for the company’s managing director in April 2020 for which a total of 47 candidates submitted applications. After scrutiny, 19 candidates were shortlisted for interviews out of which 15 candidates were interviewed.

The board of directors finally shortlisted four candidates from those interviewed. However, the matter of extraordinary demand for salary by the candidate was referred to the negotiation committee.

The four shortlisted candidates include Aizaz Ahmad, Mujahid Pervaiz Chatha, Major General (retd) Muhammad Azeem Asif and Mujahid Islam Balla.

The NTDC Board has submitted the summary of the nominations to the Power Division of the Ministry of Energy in which the recommendations of the negotiating committee have also been included.

The secretary of the negotiating committee has maintained that the salary demanded by principal candidate Aizaz Ahmed is more than the market competitive salary.

Ahmed was also offered an annual bonus in addition to the MP-1 scale, but has demanded $15000 in salary and all the benefits of the MP-1 scale, while also demanding one month’s salary in case of termination of the contract.

According to sources, principal candidate Ahmed has been declared suitable for the post of managing director NTDC as he is currently working as the business manager of a power transmission system in Canada.

Sources said that the matter has been placed before the federal cabinet. After finalisation by the federal cabinet, the appointment for the MD of NTDC will be made.