Tabish Gauhar SAPM on Power and Petroleum Resigns

Tabish Gauhar Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Power has tendered his resignation from the post on Tuesday.

Confirming the news, Gauhar in a tweet said,  “After a year of public service, I have decided to call it a day to return to my family. It is been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the country, to the best of my abilities, in an honorary capacity. I shall remain indebted to the PM for giving me this opportunity.”

“Whilst the challenges in the energy sector are manifold, I have no doubt that under the able leadership of Hammad Azhar, the MOE team will continue to stay the course on structural reforms. May Allah continue to bless Pakistan – Ameen,” he added.

 

The resignation is reported to be accepted by PM Imran Khan.

A confirmation notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat said, “The Prime Minister has been pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Tabish Gauhar, from the post of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Power and Petroleum, with effect from September 20, 2021.”

According to the news sources, the development comes amid reported differences between Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar, and Minister for Maritime Affairs, Ali Zaidi, with Gauhar.

The rifts occurred following the controversy sparked over the Engro LNG terminal’s dry-docking, as well as due to disagreements over the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline (PSGP) project — to be materialised with the help of Russia.

now the former SAPM Gauhar’s stance has been in favour of laying down the North-South Pipeline with the help of local gas companies and perpetual bickering with some federal ministers added fuel to the already brewing trouble. 

The energy SAPM had tendered a resignation earlier as well but then the premier directed him to continue with his portfolio.