Tabish Gauhar calls it a day as SAPM on power

Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Power and Petroleum Tabish Gauhar said on Tuesday that he has decided to step down from his post after a "year of public service".

In a tweet, the former special assistant thanked the prime minister for the opportunity to serve Pakistan, calling it the "privilege of lifetime".

Gauhar said that despite a number of challenges in the energy sector, he had no doubt that under the leadership of Hammad Azhar, the Ministry of Energy will "continue to stay the course on structural reforms".

In January this year, Gauhar had sent his resignation to the prime minister via Whatsapp months after his appointment as the SAPM in October 2020.

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At the time, sources had told The Express Tribune that Gauhar, who served as the chief executive officer of K-Electric before his stint as the PM’s aide, was “unhappy over unnecessary interference” in the power ministry.

Additionally, he had put forward proposals in several meetings, which were not implemented and resulted in his resignation, they had added.

In March this year, Gauhar was given additional charge of special aide to the premier on petroleum, replacing Nadeem Babar who was asked to quit his portfolio following a decision to conduct the forensic audit of oil marketing companies (OMCs).

The Cabinet Division in a notification had said the prime minister "has been pleased to re-designate Mr Tabish Gauhar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Power as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Power and Petroleum".