"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," the premier's aide said in a message on Twitter.

He added that he shall remain indebted to the prime minister for "giving him the opportunity [to serve the country]".

Gauhar noted "manifold" challenges in the energy sector, saying he had no doubt that under the leadership of Hammad Azhar, the Ministry of Energy team would continue to stay the course on structural reforms.

After Gauhar resigned, the Cabinet Division issued a notification, saying that Prime Minister Imran Khan had accepted his resignation with effect from September 20, reported Dawn.

Gauhar served as managing director of K-Electric (KE) and senior executive of Abraaj Capital of Arif Naqvi. He had replaced Shahzad Qasim as the SAPM on power in October last year.

He had resigned from the post in January this year, but his resignation had not been accepted.