Omar Ayub won’t lead talks with IPPs due to family business
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Federal Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan will no longer head the committee formed to hold talks with the IPPs (independent power producers) because his family is associated with the business of electricity generation plants, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
However, Omar will remain part of the panel in his capacity as the power minister. He has been replaced by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to lead the government team involved in the dialogue.
According to sources, talks have entered the final phase for amending the deals signed with the IPPs. It is expected that the first installment of the dues would be paid to the power producers soon after the signing of the new agreements.
In this connection, the sources say, the finance ministry has been directed to arrange funds for the purpose.
Meanwhile, there is a serious point to ponder upon: If Omar shouldn’t lead the talks with the IPPs due to his family business then why he can head the power ministry.
On September 24 last, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) had reviewed the report of the committee that was formed to negotiate with IPPs. The CCOE meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar.
Committee chairman Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad presented its findings, highlights of the MoUs reached with the IPPs and its recommendations to the CCoE.
The CCoE discussed various facets of the MoUs and its implementation. An initial estimate of potential savings was also presented to the cabinet committee.
An implementation committee, under the chairmanship of the energy minister, was formed to pursue the finalization of agreements based on the MoUs and to develop an implementation road map.
The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Omar Ayub Khan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, and SAPM on Mineral Resources Shahzad Qasim.