Governor for filling vacancies in power utilities to improve service delivery

PESHAWAR, Apr 15 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday stressed the need for immediate filling of vacant posts in power distribution companies to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

He was talking to Chief Executive Officer Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO), Tahir Jamal, who called on him at Governor House and briefed him in detail about departmental performance and challenges.

During the meeting, matters relating to electricity supply in merged districts, recovery mechanisms, consumer facilitation and other issues were discussed at length.

The TESCO chief informed the Governor that effective measures had been taken in line with federal government policies to curb electricity theft, adding that recovery rates had also improved.

The Governor appreciated the company’s performance and termed the steps taken to make TESCO financially stable as commendable. He said elimination of power theft was essential for the country’s development.

Highlighting a key concern, the Governor said that around 14,000 posts were lying vacant in PESCO and TESCO, which was a serious issue. He said that the shortage of staff was adversely affecting both departmental performance and provision of basic services to the public.

The Governor directed the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to fill the vacant positions to further improve the power distribution system and ensure better services to consumers.

Meanwhile, a delegation of a representative organization of Pakistani doctors based in the United States called on Governor Faisal Karim Kundi under the leadership of President Peoples Doctors Forum, Dr. Janbaz Afridi.

The delegation included Prof. Dr. Sharif, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Prof. Dr. Aamir Ghafoor, Prof. Dr. Anbar Ashraf, Prof. Farooq Khan and Prof. Muaz Bin Badshah.

During the meeting, the delegation informed the Governor about their welfare initiatives, saying that they provide scholarships to 100 students annually, offer free medical treatment to patients, and are currently constructing a school in Buner.

Governor Kundi appreciated the services of the organization and said that under the platform of the Red Crescent, efforts are being made to ensure maximum facilities across the province, adding that relief goods received from donors are being delivered to the affected people.

The delegation highlighted that former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had announced in 1989 to upgrade Khyber Medical College into a university, stressing the need for progress on the project.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of a hospital in Peshawar. It was said that land owned by the federal government is available for the project, and a state-of-the-art hospital under a public-private partnership could help provide advanced healthcare facilities to patients within the province, sparing them from traveling to other provinces.

The Governor remarked that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa holds immense potential for investment due to its rich reserves of oil, gas and minerals. He also paid tribute to the security forces, saying that under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, they have rendered exemplary sacrifices for the restoration of peace.

At the end of the meeting, the delegation presented a special shield to the Governor.