In a significant development in Pakistans water and power sector, Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority WAPDA General Retired Sajjad Ghani has officially tendered his resignation from the post . The resignation marks the end of his tenure at the helm of one of the countrys most crucial organizations responsible for managing water resources and power generation projects .
Background of General Retired Sajjad Ghani
General Sajjad Ghani Retired was appointed as WAPDA Chairman in September 2022 by the federal government . A retired Lieutenant General from the Pakistan Army he brought with him decades of experience in engineering infrastructure management and strategic leadership. His appointment was part of a broader strategy to inject discipline vision and structure into public sector organizations .
Prior to his appointment Ghani held several prestigious positions in the military including Engineer in Chief at the General Headquarters GHQ where he oversaw large scale national infrastructure and engineering projects .
Tenure and Achievements
During his tenure as WAPDA Chairman General Sajjad Ghani focused on the timely execution of large scale hydropower and water reservoir projects including the much anticipated Diamer Bhasha Dam and the Mohmand Dam. Under his leadership the Authority emphasized indigenous energy generation to reduce Pakistans dependence on imported fuel .
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He was also instrumental in accelerating construction timelines and resolving longstanding contractual and legal issues that had previously delayed major dam projects. His leadership style was widely regarded as disciplined strategic and result oriented .
Reasons Behind the Resignation
While the official reason for his resignation has not yet been publicly disclosed by either General Ghani or the federal government sources close to the matter suggest a combination of bureaucratic hurdles political interference and possible differences over project priorities as potential factors .
There has also been increased scrutiny and pressure on WAPDA in recent months due to cost escalations delays in international funding and concerns about governance transparency. It remains unclear whether Ghanis resignation was voluntary or the result of political pressure from the current government .
Immediate Impact on WAPDA
The departure of General Ghani from WAPDA raises questions about the continuity of leadership in major national infrastructure projects . With key dams like Dasu Mohmand and Diamer Bhasha at critical stages of development a leadership vacuum may risk delaying project timelines and investor confidence .
WAPDA has long been seen as one of the more professionally managed government institutions in Pakistan. The sudden resignation of its chairman could signal challenges for the Authority as it juggles multiple multibillion dollar projects while also managing complex relationships with international lenders such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank .
Government Response and Succession Plans
As of now the federal government has not announced a successor to General Ghani. It is expected that a temporary acting chairman will be appointed until a full time replacement is selected. The Ministry of Water Resources may consider both civilian and retired military officials with experience in infrastructure and project management .
Political observers believe the next appointment will be closely watched not just for the credentials of the candidate but also for indications of how much autonomy WAPDA will continue to enjoy in the coming years .
Public and Expert Reactions
The news of Ghanis resignation has been met with mixed reactions. Some energy and water policy experts have expressed concern about the instability in leadership while others argue that it may pave the way for reform and greater transparency within WAPDA .
Industry stakeholders have urged the government to ensure that WAPDA remains apolitical and continues to operate as a technocratic body with a long term national vision free from frequent political reshuffles .
Conclusion
The resignation of General Retired Sajjad Ghani as WAPDA Chairman marks the end of a leadership era defined by military style discipline and project acceleration. While the reasons for his departure remain speculative the implications are far reaching. The coming weeks will be crucial as the government moves to fill the leadership gap and reassure stakeholders about the continuity and stability of Pakistans critical water and power development initiatives .