Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Power was held on Thursday at Parliament House, Islamabad.
Chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, the meeting was attended by Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Niazi, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, Senator Prince Ahmed Umer Ahmedzai, Senator Sana Jamali, Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan and senior officers from the Power Division, along with all concerned.
The meeting commenced with a review of implementation status of recommendations made in the previous meeting. Chairman Committee, Senator Saifullah Abro took strict notice of the late submission of working papers.
While being briefed about the aims and objectives of establishment of Genco Holding Company Limited (GHCL) alongwith details of achieved targets the Committee was informed that the main reason for the establishment of these companies was to enhance capital formation for Power Sector development out of the budget of Government of Pakistan. This would improve the efficiency of the Power Sector through competition, accountability, managerial autonomy and profit incentives and would rationalize prices and social subsidies. This led to business transfer agreements with four Gencos at that time (GENCO 1, 2, 3 &4. Currently, the Pakistan power sector boasts of four GENCOs. The Committee discussed each Genco’s performance in detail. Observing trends, the Committee opined that Human Resource exceeded the need of each GENCO. Except for Genco 1 the Committee showed reservations regarding the performance of the three GENCOs. The Committee recommended a cut down in this area and said that doing so would lighten the burden on the national exchequer imperative for growth. Details of capacity utilization were sought. Discussing the Lakhra Power Plant, the Committee enquired about the recommendations made by the sub-Committee and directed the Ministry to submit its implementation report. The Committee enquired whether or not those recommendations were submitted to the Cabinet prior to the delicencing of the Power Plant. Chairman Committee, Senator Saifullah Abro was of the view that aims and objectives for the creation of GENCOs were not fulfilled. He added that every measure must be taken to save our national assets. He said that this will ensure the revival of our enterprises essential for the prosperity of Pakistan.
Reviewing the Circular Debt plight the Committee directed the Ministry to submit a complete breakup of where and how much was spent. It also sought details of contributing factors.
Reviewing details of BODs of all concerned companies, the Committee was briefed about the selection process. Chairman Committee, Senator Saifullah Abro gave directions to the Companies to submit the resumes of the BODs of their companies for further review.