New water & power minister takes immediate action, suspends NTDC MD

After assuming charge, Ahmad Mukhtar suspends Rasool Khan Masood over ‘poor performance’ against loadshedding.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water and Power Ahmad Mukhtar, immediately after taking charge of his new post on Monday, suspended the National Transmission and Dispatch Company’s Managing Director Rasool Khan Masood for ‘poor performance’, reported Express News on Monday.

Mukhtar reviewed issues related to power loadshedding during the first day of assuming charge. He termed NTDC’s performance against loadshedding as ‘disappointing’ and suspended the MD of the company.

According to sources, Mukhtar has also issued a warning to all officers of the company on the issue.

Meanwhile, during a media talk, Mukhtar said that strict action will be taken against all those who are involved in power theft.

Mukhtar's appointment as the minister for water and power had been announced on Saturday, however he did not assume charge till Monday, owing to the fact that Sunday is a scheduled holiday. Meanwhile, his earlier post of defence minister has been handed over to Naveed Qamar.

According to sources, Mukhtar is expected to bring about some ‘major’ changes, including an overall restructuring of the ministry of water and power as per the directions of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.