Energy Minister Awais Leghari, has ordered the immediate dismissal of seven senior officials from the National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) over negligence and delays in critical infrastructure projects, the Power Division announced on Wednesday.
Among those removed are Deputy Managing Director, two General Managers, Chief Financial Officer, and three chief engineers. The move follows a high-level performance review meeting, during which the minister expressed serious concern over inefficiencies and their mounting economic cost.
“The NTDC board has been directed to show zero tolerance for delays,” Leghari said in the statement, warning that ongoing setbacks were costing the country “billions of rupees.”
The minister had earlier ordered an inquiry into persistent delays in key transmission and dispatch projects. The NTDC board subsequently identified systemic failures in project planning and execution, particularly within the Planning Wing, which had been under the oversight of the now-dismissed officials.
Investigations revealed that the department repeatedly failed to meet deadlines. In response, the board issued immediate “OSD” (awaiting posting orders) directives for the Deputy MD, both GMs, and the CFO. Additionally, three Chief Engineers were removed from their posts for what the board described as “dereliction of duty.”
The NTDC MD has been given two weeks to take disciplinary action against other staff members, including managers and deputy managers found to be underperforming.
In a bid to overhaul the organization, the NTDC board also approved a new strategy aimed at addressing chronic inefficiencies in project implementation.
“Every delay in these projects directly harms Pakistan’s economy,” the minister added, signalling the government’s firm commitment to improving accountability and performance in the energy sector.
