PPIB is a subsidiary organisation under the administrative control of Ministry of Energy (Power Division). PPIB, whose several officials are engaged in personal businesses, and where, according to private sector investors, no file is moved without a "push", acts as one window facilitator on behalf of the Government of Pakistan to promote private investments in the power sector. PPIB is currently handling 26 projects with an investment of $ 25.401 billion with a cumulative capacity of 14,107 MW, including CPEC projects.
The incumbent Managing Director, an employee of PPIB was appointed MD by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on September 21, 2015 for a period of three years. Hence the post of MD PPIB fell vacant on September 20, 2018.
As per section 7 of the PPIB Act, 2012, the Managing Director, PPIB is to be appointed by the federal government on such remuneration and allowance/privileges and facilities as may be determined by the PPIB Board. The incumbent Managing Director is getting Rs 1.2 million salary per month.
The sources said, in order to initiate the process of recruitment of Managing Director PPIB, draft advertisement is being published containing selection criteria as laid down in Section 7 of the PPIB Act, 2012.
Insiders claim that the administrative Ministry i.e. Power Division knew that the term of MD PPIB would be expiring on September 20, 2018, but it deliberately delayed the advertisement process so that the incumbent could get an extension.
Official sources said that the constitution of the following committee is also proposed for interviewing the shortlisted candidates for the post of MD: (i) Minister for Power Division (Convener); (ii) Secretary Power Division (Member); (iii) Additional Secretary Power Division (Member); (iv) Additional Secretary, Establishment Division (Member); and (v) a renowned professional from the private sector (to be nominated with the approval of Minister for Power).
Secretary Power Division, Irfan Ali, has proposed in the summary that in the wake of the timeframe required for completion of the recruitment process on competitive basis, the tenure of the incumbent Managing Director be extended for a period of six months or till recruitment of new MD, whichever is earlier.
Section 7 (5) of the PPIB Act, 2012 states "the Managing Director shall, unless he resigns or is removed from office earlier by the federal government, hold office for three years or for such period as may be extended by the federal government or on attaining the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier".
When contacted, incumbent Managing Director, Shah Jahan Mirza, said "according to the PPIB Act my appointment is for three years; or a period extended by the federal government. It is government's prerogative to assess my performance over the past three years and take decision for extension or otherwise."
The other agenda items to be considered by the cabinet are as follows ; (i) progress on 100 days agenda, advisor to Prime Minister on Establishment; (ii) conferment of awards on Dr. Muhammad Amin, Ms. Sadia Rashid, Mr. Asim Baluch, Mr. Mohammad Meraj and Mr. Habib ur Rehman, by the Government of Japan, Foreign Affairs Division; (iii) appointment of Director General, Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), Karachi, Finance Division; (iv) approval for signing of MoU on friendly cooperation and exchange between the Municipal Public Security Bureau of China and the Islamabad Capital Territory Police of Pakistan; (v) proscription of Al Rehman Welfare Trust Organization (RWO)- Interior Division; (vi) strengthening Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances - addition of one senior member- Interior Division; (vii) establishment of taskforce to streamline the regulatory functions at the implementation level, Interior Division; (viii) appointment of Chairman, 8th Wage Board- Information & Broadcasting Division; (ix) reconstitution of PTVC Board of Directors-Information & Broadcasting Division; (x) uploading of year book on the websites of Ministries/ Division, Cabinet Division;(xi) constitution of taskforce on tourism, Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC); and (xii) appointment as Chairman Board of Investment- Board of Investment.