Altaf Hussain Assumes Charge as Managing Director of National Grid Company

By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE — Altaf Hussain has taken charge as the Managing Director of the National Grid Company of Pakistan Limited (NGC), bringing with him over 30 years of international experience in power transmission and distribution.

Mr. Hussain began his career with WAPDA in 1987, where he served for more than a decade before relocating to Canada. Over the next 27 years, he held senior roles in the power sector, most recently serving as Director of Asset Strategy and Planning at BC Hydro, one of Canada’s major electric utilities. In that capacity, he led key initiatives in grid resilience, electrification, and energy transition. He has long expressed his desire to return to Pakistan and contribute to the national energy sector.

His appointment comes during a critical phase of power-sector restructuring, under which the former National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has been reorganized to form NGC as the national transmission service provider. Two additional entities—Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) and the Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company (EIDMC)—have also been created to enhance transparency, efficiency, and sector performance.

On his first day in office, Mr. Hussain addressed senior leadership of NGC, including C-suite executives, Deputy Managing Directors, General Managers, and Chief Engineers, in an online session. He shared his vision to transform NGC into a modern and progressive utility, emphasizing teamwork, technological advancement, and effective communication across the organization. He also highlighted the importance of mentoring and coaching to build internal talent and reaffirmed his commitment to developing an innovation-driven organization aligned with global best practices.

As Managing Director, Mr. Hussain will lead NGC’s efforts in transmission network development, operational reliability, and modernization. He will work closely with ISMO on system and market operations and with EIDMC on infrastructure development. His extensive international background and familiarity with Pakistan’s power sector position him to steer NGC through its transition and advance the country’s grid modernization agenda.