The Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Power and Petroleum, Tabish Gauhar, has resigned from his post, according to a notice by the Cabinet Division.
The notice read: “The Prime Minister has been pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Mr. Tabish Gauhar, from the post of Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Power and Petroleum, with effect from 2oth September, 2021”.
Gauhar confirmed his resignation in a tweet, saying that he had decided to return to his family, following a year of his public service.
He added that he believes that the Ministry of Energy team will continue to implement structural reforms under the leadership of Minister Hammad Azhar despite the many challenges to the energy sector.
After a year of public service, I’ve decided to call it a day to return to my family. It’s 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. (1/2)
— Tabish Gauhar (@TabishGauharPK) September 21, 2021
The Managing Director at Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Securities, A.A.H Soomro, tweeted that Gauhar’s resignation was a loss for the energy sector and was a result of bureaucratic resistance to the Special Assistant’s plans.
Tabish Gauhar's resignation is vindication of how difficult it is for private sector experts to work with bureaucrats and/or politicians. Efficient market requires promptness, decision making & urgency. With this loss, energy sector is one step back. Had plans, but resistance.
— A A H Soomro (@AAHSoomro) September 21, 2021
Gauhar had attempted to resign in January, which some media reports claimed was over the government’s negotiations with independent power producers, but Prime Minister Imran Khan had refused to accept his resignation at the time.
He had served as the Managing Director of K-Electric for seven years before taking on the role of the Special Assistant on 1 October 2020.