Saadullah Saeed
Islamabad: SAARC Energy Center (SEC) Islamabad was established in Pakistan under the Dhaka Declaration in 2006. The main function of the Center is to work on the energy sector in South Asia, to guide member countries in developing alternative energy sources and to make recommendations to reduce carbon emissions while working to improve the environment. As per practice the director of the center is appointed for a period of three years by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the sources, Nawaz virk, is working as Director of the Centre beyond three years, with no significant contribution towards the centre.
During his tenure the performance of the centre has declined significantly without any executing any project. This year several proposals were presented and got approved from the Board of Governors but none executed. This raises question on the director’s competence. According to the sources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has written to the Ministry of Energy twice for the name of the new director, however, director Nawaz Virk, who is allegedly politically backed, who was earlier working as DG Admin in the Ministry of Petroleum, was appointed as DG Minerals this month. The matter was allegedly suppressed.
The issue was placed before the DG South Asia Mr. Ilyas Nizami to know the position of the Foreign Ministry, but his position was limited to the extent of thanks. After contacting the secretary office of the Ministry of Energy Petroleum Division several times, all the staff including the secretary were found to be absent or busy in meetings. After contacting the admin office and being aware of the matter, the reporter’s number was put on the censor list. The Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Shahbaz Nadeem Tahir, who is a member of the Board of Governors of SAARC Energy Center and spokesperson of the Ministry of Petroleum, was contacted for his position, Mr Tahir stated Ministry of Petroleum has shared names and profiles with MOFA three days back. Our Reporter tried several times to contact SAARC Division (MoFA) for Ministry’s position but no answer was given and new appointment of the Director SAARC Energy Center Islamabad is in limbo.
