LAHORE  - Following the footsteps of PPP’s former government, the BoD Gepco has appointed company chief in clear violation of Lahore High Court directions. The board comprised PML-N blue-eyed.
Mian Munir Ahmed had been given extension in Wapda service on reaching superannuation on March 8 and appointed Gujranwala Electric Power Company Chief Executive Officer by the Gepco Board of Directors.  By appointing Mian Munir as Gepco Chief after retirement from Wapda, the current BoD has followed the well-known PPP’s previous board under Hassan Javed, the nephew of former defence minister Ch Ahmad Mukhtar, when Mehboob Alam (predecessor of Mian Munir) had been appointed at the same post.
On June 13, 2011 when Mehbood Alam was appointed through a similar resolution at a BoD meeting, the court on a writ petition against his appointment, had observed: “The circumstances show that the BoD Gepco acted both irrelevantly and rashly in making the impugned appointment of CEO in relation to affairs of Gepco, a public authority. Such actions reflect arbitrariness, which is not countenanced by the law.” In the writ petition number 12272/2011 against the appointment of Gepco former CEO Mehboob Alam, the Lahore High Count had directed: “The appropriate course is for the Board to invite recommendation of the authorities concerned with and experts in the power sector for names of competent professionals for appointment as CEO Gepco, such appointment must thereafter be made by the Board by applications of its mind to valid & relevant criteria and in accordance with law.”
It is unclear if Munir is given go-ahead by the Water and Power Ministry to continue his service as Gepco CEO, but sources say that his appointment order did not specify his extension period.  How Munir can be given extension on reaching superannuation? Why no one followed criteria of appointment of a company chief under the company ordinance 1984 if he was appointed for 3 years?
Relevant ministers could not be reached despite repeated attempts. However, Company BoD Chairman said he got busy in a meeting and could not respond well to the call.
The Gepco spokesperson claimed Munir Ahmed was appointed under the company law. It has also been learnt that BoD Gepco is also conducting interviews of some other professionals for the appointment at same post but Company Secretary Muhammad Asad denied it, saying Mian Munir had been appointed in accordance with the company ordinance and fresh interviews were not being conducted. So far, the Gepco has not advertised the post for appointment of company chief as well.  An expert of the power sector said that at one side all governments (previous and current) talk about power sector reforms but on the other side nepotism and favouritism run at key posts appointments.

 This is common practice in power sector that at time of key appointments, seniors are being superseded by the juniors just on the basis of favouritism, he held.