.Abbottabad / Islamabad: Serious concerns have emerged regarding administrative decisions, recruitment processes, and employees’ rights following the establishment of the Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO), which was created to address electricity distribution problems in Hazara Division and to provide employment opportunities for the local population. Local employees, union leaders, and members of the public claim that the promises made at the time of the company’s establishment have not yet been fulfilled, while commitments to create jobs for local youth have also failed to materialize.
According to public circles, the Hazara Company had been promoted since 2016 as a major public welfare project. During this period, several political leaders presented the project during election campaigns as a key initiative for the development of Hazara and the creation of employment opportunities. In this regard, statements and promises by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, former Member of the National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Muhammad Safdar Awan, Babar Nawaz Khan, and Shaista Jadoon are being cited.
The Hazara Company formally began operations on July 25; however, local residents say that issues such as load shedding and billing irregularities still persist. On the other hand, company employees claim they face serious concerns regarding promotions, pensions, and job security, and several workers have already protested to demand their rights.
According to employees and union representatives, after the closure of certain power houses in Multan, several employees of Generation Company (GENCO) were adjusted in HAZECO. It is alleged that some of them were upgraded and appointed to key administrative positions in violation of established rules. Local employees maintain that senior local officers were ignored during this process, while individuals whose experience was largely limited to mechanical workshops or pipe-fitting were assigned responsibilities related to electricity supply control and management.
Union leaders state that local officers and workers have neither been upgraded nor provided with opportunities for promotion. They demand that senior local officers and workers be promoted according to rules and appointed to administrative positions, while employees coming from outside the region should be adjusted afterward. At the same time, some circles also allege that certain officers recruited on contract have been appointed with high salaries, while unemployed local youth have been deprived of job opportunities. Questions have also been raised regarding the transparency of financial matters, vehicle procurement, and recruitment processes within the company; however, these allegations have not been officially confirmed.
The people of Hazara Division have called upon the government and relevant authorities to conduct a transparent audit of the company’s administrative affairs and recruitment procedures and to fulfill promises of providing employment to local youth. According to union leadership, if the issues remain unresolved, the matter may be raised before the Ministry of Energy, parliamentary forums, and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), among other institutions.
Meanwhile, residents of Lower Tanawal, Sherwan, and Kothiala have also demanded the establishment of a 132-kV grid station by acquiring land between Shimla Hill and Totni Thana near Abbottabad. They say that such a facility would help permanently resolve load shedding and voltage issues in these areas and reduce the burden on the existing Abbottabad grid station.
Public representatives emphasize that the fundamental objective behind the establishment of the Hazara Company was to resolve electricity issues and provide relief to local communities. Therefore, they stress that the government and the company’s administration must take immediate steps to address the concerns of both the public and the employees.