MD NGC’s appointment on look-after basis raising seniority concerns

ISLAMABAD: The well-known adage “the right person for the right job” seems to hold little value in Pakistan’s public sector, where merit often takes a back seat to favoritism, personal connections, and other undisclosed considerations.

The latest example comes from Pakistan’s power sector, where top positions in key institutions such as Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs), Generation Companies (GENCOs), the National Grid Company of Pakistan Limited (NGC – formerly NTDC), Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC), and the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), are often handed out to individuals perceived as lacking the required qualifications or experience.

A recent case drawing sharp criticism is the appointment of Engr. Muhammad Shahid Nazir as the Managing Director (MD) of NGC on a “look-after” basis. Nazir ranks 11th on the seniority list, yet was chosen over several more senior and eligible officers.

According to the official notification, “The Board of Directors of the National Grid Company of Pakistan Ltd (formerly NTDC), in its 297th meeting held on May 28, 2025, under agenda item No. 1, resolved and approved to assign the look-after charge of the post of Managing Director, NGC, to Shahid Nazir, General Manager (PD North), with immediate effect and until the arrival of the regular incumbent.”

His appointment follows the retirement of Engr. Muhammad Waseem Younas. A formal advertisement has already been published seeking applications for the MD position, including from foreign nationals, in an attempt to attract qualified expatriate Pakistanis. However, past attempts in this direction have met with limited success.

This move by the Board has raised concerns within the sector, as it remains unclear who influenced the decision and why a junior officer was preferred over several senior candidates. The organization is already mired in controversies over poor decision-making and inefficiencies, frequently highlighted in Senate Standing Committee meetings on Economic Affairs.

Furthermore, the legality of such an appointment is questionable. According to a clarification issued by the Finance Division in 2021, the Civil Servants Act, 1973, and its rules do not provide for “look-after” charges. Instead, as an internal arrangement, a senior officer may temporarily handle another’s duties, typically for routine day-to-day matters only. Crucially, such an officer is not authorized to exercise financial or administrative powers unless officially delegated in accordance with proper procedures.

Decisions involving quasi-judicial matters, significant financial transactions, or administrative authority must legally be made by someone formally appointed to the post. An officer on look-after charge cannot exercise these powers, raising further concerns about governance and accountability under the current arrangement at NGC.

The complete seniority list underscores the bypassing of several experienced officers. Muhammad Shahid Nazir, appointed MD, stands at number 11, while others above him—such as Muhammad Ejaz Khan, Shabbir Ali Shah, and Shahida Wazi—were overlooked.

This appointment adds to the growing perception of dysfunction within the public sector, where institutional credibility and effective leadership are often undermined by non-merit-based decisions.

It is unclear who will use the financial power in NGC as the incumbent look after charge MD cannot exercise this power

The seniority list is as follows

1. MUHAMMAD EJAZ KHAN (DOR: 2025-11-02)

2. SHABBIR ALI SHAH (DOR: 2025-07-31)

3. MUHAMMAD JAHANGIR (DOR: 2025-09-08)

4. SHAHIDA WAZI ( DOR 2025-11-27)5. LUBNA KAUSAR (On LPR 2025-11-01)

6. KHALID MEHMOOD (2025-06-07)

7. MUHAMMAD RAFIQUE (2026-10-17)

8. NASIR AHMED (2025-08-04)

9. SOHAIL MUMTAZ BAJWA (2026-09-21)

10. AMJID ALI (2026-10-05)11. MUHAMMAD SHAHID NAZIR (2026-02-04)

11. MUHAMMAD SHAHID NAZIR (2026-02-04)