On November 19, 2025 the National Grid Company of Pakistan Limited began a new chapter with the appointment of Mr. Altaf Hussain as Managing Director. He brings more than three decades of experience in transmission and distribution, combining early service with the Water and Power Development Authority and nearly three decades in Canada.
Mr. Hussain began his career at WAPDA in 1987 and served there for over ten years before relocating to Canada, where he spent 27 years in the power sector. Most recently he served as Director of Asset Strategy and Planning at BC Hydro, leading initiatives on grid resilience, electrification and the energy transition—experience he says he wants to apply to Pakistan’s grid modernization.
His appointment comes as NGC transitions from the former National Transmission and Despatch Company under the government’s restructuring program that established the Independent System and Market Operator and the Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company. The reform is intended to improve transparency, efficiency and sector performance as the National Grid Company assumes its role as the national transmission service provider.
On his first day Mr. Hussain addressed senior leadership, including C-suite officers, Deputy Managing Directors, General Managers and Chief Engineers in an online session. He laid out a vision to transform the National Grid Company into a modern, progressive utility built on team building, adoption of new technology and clear communication across all levels of the organisation.
He emphasised mentoring and coaching to develop in-house talent and expressed a commitment to create an innovation-led organisation that adopts international best practices in transmission system management. Mr. Hussain asked teams to meet committed timelines to support the country’s power needs and broader economic development.
As Managing Director he will lead transmission network development, operations and reliability enhancement efforts and work closely with ISMO on system and market operations and with EIDMC on infrastructure projects. His international experience and knowledge of Pakistan’s power sector position him to guide the National Grid Company through the next phase of reform and modernization.
