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ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (APP):The Senate was informed on Thursday that the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has been unable to operationalise the newly sanctioned Kotli Sattian Sub-Division due to an acute human resource shortage that has stalled its activation since last year.
Responding to a series of questions raised by Senator Fawzia Arshad, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the Kotli Sattian Operation Sub-Division was sanctioned by IESCO’s Board of Directors on May 2, 2023, but remains non-functional because the company is currently operating with a 46 per cent staff deficiency.
Senator Fawzia Arshad highlighted that out of 95 sanctioned posts in the Kotli Sattian Sub-Division, only five have been filled, leaving 90 positions vacant.
She sought clarification from the Power Division regarding the reasons behind the absence of staff in an already sanctioned Sub-Division.
Dr Chaudhry confirmed the figures, stating that the severe shortage of personnel was the primary reason for the delay.
He added that the Kotli Sattian Sub-Division was one of seven newly created IESCO Sub-Divisions that could not be activated due to the same staffing crisis.
While the sanctioned Sub-Division remains inactive, the minister informed the House that a Sub-office is already functional in Kotli Sattian, established before the approval of the Operation Sub-Division.
This sub-office continues to address customer-related issues “to the extent possible” with limited manpower and resources.
He further stated that the Activation of the Kotli Sattian Operation Sub-Division will take place once the staffing situation improves, with recruitment initiatives currently under review by the Board of Directors in line with IESCO’s internal planning and available resources.
Senator Fawzia Arshad, in her initial question, had also asked whether the Sub-Division created under the Bara Kahu Division had become operational.
The minister reiterated that its activation was contingent on the availability of adequate staff, which remains insufficient across the company.