SC gives Wapda 15 to prepare new PC-1

Summons minister in illegal allotment of railway land case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to prepare a new PC-1 for the construction of Nai Gaj dam within 15 days.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case regarding the construction the dam.

The dam is an embankment dam currently under construction on the Gaj River in the gorge area at the edge of Kirthar Mountain range about 65km (40 miles) north-west of Dadu city in Sindh.

During the course of proceedings, the chief justice observed that the court could not let Rs16 billion already spent on the project go waste.

The officials of Water and Power Development Authority requested for one month to prepare the new PC-1.

The chief justice did not accepted their request and granted 15 days with the directive that Wapda representatives should not appear before the bench without the new PC-1.

During the previous hearing, the CJP had observed that if the dam was not built within the given time frame, the parties concerned would be held responsible.

The additional attorney general informed the top court that the PC-1 of the dam would be revised and a new contractor would be hired for the construction.



The chief justice remarked that projects were started for 'kickbacks' and later abandoned on the plea that the same were not needed.

He also observed that no one from the Sindh government had appeared before the court.

He said the federal government was to release Rs46 billion for the dam's construction. About 51% of the project had been completed, but the Sindh government was saying that it was not needed anymore, he added.

The chief justice asked the additional attorney general whether the federal government had released funds for the dam. On this, the additional attorney general replied that the Sindh government had changed its approach and was reluctant to undertake the construction of the dam.



Pakistan Railways land

The Supreme Court summoned Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on December 24 in a case pertaining to illegal allotment of railway land and alleged irregularities in the ministry.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case regarding alleged illegal  allotment of railway land on lease for years.

During the course of proceedings, the chief justice remarked that till date the ministry had failed to satisfy the court regarding allotment of land to an individual.

The should appear in person to explain the matter, he added.

He observed that the government had not given the land to the ministry for sale but for its own use. The case was adjourned till December 24.