PESHAWAR: The appointment of a Project Director for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Rs40 billion solarisation initiative has sparked controversy after the position was changed for the third time within a month, raising concerns over transparency and governance.
According to sources, the latest appointment has allegedly been made in violation of prescribed rules. The criteria for the post require a minimum of 12 years of experience in the solar energy sector; however, the newly appointed officer reportedly does not meet this key requirement, prompting unease within official and technical circles.
Earlier, Engineer Pir Aimal had been appointed as Project Director but was abruptly removed. He had joined the Energy Department on a three-year deputation from the Planning and Development Department, which was terminated within a month. He has since been directed to return to his parent department.
Official documents indicate that, under a notification dated April 6, 2026, Muhammad Kamran Khan (PMS, BS-18) has been placed at the disposal of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) on deputation.
Frequent changes in such a critical position, along with concerns over eligibility, have raised questions about the project’s transparency and timely execution. Experts warn that instability and non-merit-based decisions in a project of this scale could lead to inefficiencies and potential misuse of public funds.
An official, however, rejected allegations of irregularities, stating that the appointment was approved by the chief minister as the competent authority. He did not comment on the abrupt removal of Pir Aimal. It is also noted that Pir Aimal, a BPS-17 officer, had been posted against a BPS-20 position, raising further procedural concerns.
Story by Arshad Aziz Malik
