Recent structural changes in WAPDA pose challenges

The newly appointed chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) may have to face tough days ahead in his new assignment because of changes made by the acting management in recent days, including the addition and removal of posts and advisers.

Wapda, which is managing multibillion-dollar hydroelectric power projects, is facing an internal controversy as the acting chairman allegedly made last-minute structural changes to hire loyal officials before the assumption of charge by the new chairman.

According to sources, the acting chairman took several decisions despite the lack of quorum. These decisions came following a meeting convened hastily and the minutes issued the same day, a move described by insiders as an attempt to implement the decisions swiftly.

The meeting was held the same day the Ministry of Water Resources was conducting interviews for the new chairman.

The decisions, sources said, were based on recommendations of a committee. However, a key member of the committee, Brigadier (Retd) Muhammad Kashif Butt, distanced himself from the report and wrote a letter to the acting chairman, stating that he had not signed the recommendations.

The committee was originally set up for Wapda's restructuring. However, officials familiar with the matter alleged that the real objective appeared to be placing loyalists in key positions before the new leadership took charge.

Currently, Wapda is being run by acting members. The acting management approved the reorganisation of offices and made several changes at the senior level, including the addition and deletion of the posts of general managers and advisers.

In this reorganisation, the roles of GM (land acquisition and rehabilitation) and GM (human resources development) were merged, raising questions whether this move will actually help accelerate the ongoing development projects. The GM (land acquisition) is a PC-1 post while the GM (HR development) is a regular cadre post.

Brig (Retd) Kashif, in his letter, clarified that he had not endorsed the recommendations of the committee, particularly those pertaining to the downgrading and abolition of the GM (security) position.

He said although he was made a member of the foundational review committee, at no stage he was informed that his own post was under review — a serious procedural lapse. He expressed dismay that the foundational review was hastily converted into an "Item Note," resulting in downgrading and abolition of the GM (security) position, while he was still serving in that role.

"This has caused me professional embarrassment and reputational damage," he wrote and added, "While I reserve the right to seek legal recourse, I request that the decision to abolish the GM (security) post be reversed and removed from the Item Note." Wapda did not respond to questions sent for its comments.