Govt yet to appoint financial advisers for five power firms

The government has yet to appoint any financial adviser for three power distribution companies (Discos) and two generation companies (Gencos) selected for the first round of privatisation. The Power Division disclosed this before the Senate Standing Committee on Power which expressed displeasure over the absence of Power Minister Awais Leghari and Secretary Power Dr Fakhre Alam despite prior commitment and also showed concern over harassment of industrialists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who were applying for solar net-metering. The meeting of the panel presided over by Senator Mohsin Aziz deferred agenda items pertaining to negotiations with independent power producers (IPPs) and matters relating to the disposal of assets (movable/immovable), liabilities, and employees of each Discos on privatisation agenda. Mr Aziz said the meeting had been set in consultation with the minister and secretary of power, who wanted a 20-day gap but did not turn up for the meeting after 36 days.