PESHAWAR: Chief Executive Officer of the Provincial Energy Development Organization (PEDO), Engineer Anwar-ul-Haq, has announced that construction work on several hydropower projects across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has entered its final stages, with completion expected to generate more than Rs10 billion in additional annual revenue for the province.
He made these remarks while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected cabinet of the PEDO Officers Association (POA). The event was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Energy and Power, Nazir Ahmad Abbasi, as the chief guest.
Engineer Anwar-ul-Haq highlighted PEDO’s growing contribution to the provincial economy, stating that the organization is already generating over Rs6 billion in annual income and remains one of the province’s most profitable public-sector institutions.
During the ceremony, newly elected POA President Engineer Muqeem Uddin presented a charter of demands on behalf of employees. Key proposals included health insurance coverage, establishment of a residential colony on WAPDA lines, provision of solar systems on easy installments, implementation of time-scale promotions, improved transport facilities for officers, government-managed operation and maintenance of completed hydropower plants, and enhancement of employee allowances.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Nazir Ahmad Abbasi emphasized the critical role of the energy sector in driving economic growth, noting that agriculture, industry, transport, irrigation, and municipal services all depend heavily on reliable and affordable energy supplies.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa possesses abundant natural resources, including vast hydropower potential and significant oil and gas reserves, which can be effectively utilized to strengthen the provincial economy and improve livelihoods.
The minister described PEDO as a key institution in the province’s energy landscape, producing low-cost hydropower and contributing billions of rupees annually to the provincial exchequer. He reiterated the government’s commitment to further strengthening PEDO and transforming it into one of the highest revenue-generating institutions in the province.
In his concluding remarks, Nazir Abbasi assured employees that their legitimate demands would be considered positively and urged staff members to continue performing their duties with professionalism, merit, and transparency to support the organization’s growth and development.
Earlier, the minister administered the oath to the newly elected POA cabinet, including Chairman Syed Asif Raza, President Engineer Muqeem Uddin, General Secretary Muhammad Abrar, Senior Vice President Salman Afridi, Vice President Waqas Gandapur, Joint Secretary Sefat Ullah, Finance Secretary Imran Khan, Information Secretary Ashfaq Khan, and Office Secretary Shahzad Khan.
