ISLAMABAD   -  NEPRA has said that public-private partnership mode is the only way out for resolving the problems faced by Discos, observing that complete privatization is not enough to remove the inefficiencies of Discos.

While briefing the NA Subcommittee on Energy here Monday, Vice Chairman NEPRA Rafiq Ahmad Sheikh said that as regulator NEPRA is not satisfied with the performance of ex-WAPDA Distribution Companies (XWDiscos). Rafiq Sheikh said that that complete privatization is not a solution to the problems of Discos. He said that public-private partnership mode is the only way out for resolving the problems faced by Discos. 

The NA subcommittee on power division discussed the matters related to the problems faced by the parliamentarians vis a vis Discos and KE. NEPRA vice chairman further said that in case of PPP mode, the management of Discos should be handed over to private companies and it should have the backing and support of the government. Private sector cannot work alone for resolving the issues of the Discos inefficiencies, he maintained. The public private partnership model in power distribution companies is efficiently working in Morocco and Delhi, he claimed.

Rafiq Sheikh said that Discos don’t need to come for each and everything to NEPRA, they can resolve some matters at the level of their respective boards.

Vice Chairman NEPRA has informed the committee that NEPRA has written letter to the power division for the abolition of Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO). Pakistan Electric Power Company has no role to play, he added.

Engineer Sabir Hussain MNA said that that the transformer blast had killed 13 innocent people. “Who is responsible for the loss?” he questioned and demanded that those responsible should be presented to the committee. Vice Chairman NEPRA said that the regulator had conducted investigation into the accident. He said that show cause notice had been served to HESCO.

Saira Bano MNA said that corruption in HESCO is continuing unchecked. Open Kundas (illegal connections) are operating in HESCO region but the high ups of the Disco cannot see it, she alleged. She demanded that such institutions should be closed down or privatized. Deputy Chief NEPRA said that the performance of KE has improved and it has reduced the losses. Officials of the Power Division informed that the matter of Discos privatisation is being looked into by Privatization commission and they are working on various options in this regard.