The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), a high-loss-making distribution company (DISCO), is once again at the center of controversy as the Power Division reportedly receives a flood of complaints regarding alleged corruption, tender manipulation, and questionable plea bargains involving senior officials.
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Sources within the Power Division indicate that the top brass is facing difficulties in taking action against the accused due to their powerful political connections within the key ruling party of Sindh. This political influence is also cited as a reason for the stalled appointment of new Boards for both HESCO and SEPCO (Sukkur Electric Power Company).
A recent letter from M/s AJMER Engineering Electric Works, a firm that participated in HESCO’s tender No. PMU-182/24-25 for the supply of steel tubular poles, has brought specific allegations to light. The letter, also addressed to the Power Minister, claims irregularities in the tender process and raises serious questions about a rival manufacturer, W&G International China.
According to the complaint, W&G International China, whose Chinese name is Qingdao Anji Electric Power Co Ltd, has been declared “non-responsive” and issued a show-cause notice by Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) in a similar tender. The reason given was the submission of “fraudulent and forged documents.” M/s AJMER Engineering further alleges that the Chinese firm was bankrupted in 2023 and no longer exists, a claim supported by a court order and information from a Chinese business registry website.
This is not the only case of alleged misconduct. The Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also received a separate complaint alleging plea bargains between HESCO officials and an FIA Investigation Officer, Mr. Babar Dahri, in the Shahsed Benazirabad Circle. The complaint claims that around two dozen HESCO officials who reportedly made plea bargains are not only still employed but some have also been promoted, including Mithal Shaikh. The complainants have called for a detailed inquiry into how officials who have settled corruption charges are allowed to remain in their positions.
These allegations come at a time when a similar case involving SEPCO official Altaf Kaheri was discussed at a recent Senate Standing Committee on Power meeting. The matter was deferred after the concerned officer failed to appear before the committee, highlighting the growing scrutiny over the affairs of these power distribution companies.
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