FESCO corruption: Committee formed to probe power theft scandal

Fesco CEO Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan suspended the chief engineer, Zafar Abbas Bukhari and four other officers last week.

FAISALABAD:

An inquiry committee has been constituted to probe into the illicit power connection scandal involving a Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) chief engineer.

Fesco Chief Executive Officer Rana Abdul Jabbar Khan suspended the chief engineer, Zafar Abbas Bukhari and four other officers last week.

Bukhari, Executive Engineers (XEN) Abdul Rahman and Akbar Randhawa, Bandala Sub Division Sub Divisional Officer Imtiaz Ahmad and Lines Superintendent Muhammad Naveed had allegedly provided illegal electricity connections to Arshad Textile Mills in Khurarianwala.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Fesco spokesman Tahir Sheikh said that this was the first such action by the CEO in a case involving a senior officer.

He said the accused officers may have also violated company rules and provided a connection from Sitara Energy, an independent power producer, instead of routing it through the company’s system.

On Tuesday, the spokesman said, Bukhari had appealed for a review of the allegations.

In his application, he said that the subdivision concerned was responsible for issuing electricity connections and not a chief engineer.

He claimed that he had been “dragged” into the case by his rival officers.

The Fesco CEO has formed an inquiry committee to probe the matter. The committee comprises Fesco general managers for compliance and management and investigation. The committee will submit its report in 15 days.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.