Former PSO chief Taha takes over as K-Electric CEO

ISLAMABAD: Syed Muhammad Taha has assumed charge as Chief Executive Officer of K-Electric, returning to lead the country’s only vertically integrated power utility at a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s energy sector.

Taha formally took over the role on April 15, 2026, bringing with him more than three decades of experience across Pakistan’s energy value chain, along with a track record of financial turnaround and operational reform.

In his first statement after assuming office, Taha underscored the strategic importance of the utility, calling it the “economic heartbeat” of Pakistan. He acknowledged the challenges facing the power sector but emphasized the opportunity to drive innovation and improve service delivery.

“We will focus on agility, service reliability, and future-ready technologies to power Karachi’s growth,” he said, signaling a forward-looking strategy centered on efficiency and modernization.

Taha returns to K-Electric with significant leadership credentials, most recently serving as Managing Director and CEO of Pakistan State Oil since February 2020. During his tenure, he led a major financial turnaround, steering PSO from losses in FY2020 to achieving net sales of Rs3.3 trillion and a consolidated earnings per share of Rs35.03 by FY2025.

He is also credited with transforming PSO’s retail landscape and initiating the company’s entry into clean energy and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, marking a shift toward future energy solutions.

This appointment marks a strategic return for Taha, who previously served as Chief Distribution Officer at K-Electric, where he managed revenues of approximately $1.9 billion and played a key role in strengthening the company’s distribution operations.

His international experience includes serving as Executive Director at Oasis Energy, where he led infrastructure modernization initiatives for Nigeria’s Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, further broadening his expertise in power sector reforms.

Taha began his career with leading multinational and national organizations, including Shell, Caltex (Chevron), and Pakistan Steel Mills, building a strong foundation in engineering, operations, and corporate leadership.

A professional engineer by training, he holds an MBA in Finance from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.

His appointment comes at a time when K-Electric faces mounting pressure to improve service reliability, manage costs, and align with evolving regulatory and market dynamics. Industry observers see his return as a critical move aimed at stabilizing operations and positioning the utility for the next phase of transformation in Pakistan’s power sector.