SC orders energy ministry to pay Rs200b to WAPDA for dams construction

First turbine of dam would become operational in 2024, Lt Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain informs court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the energy ministry to pay outstanding dues to the tune of Rs200 billion to the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) so that the construction of dams could be completed.

A five-member larger headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed was hearing a case pertaining to the delay in the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

Justice Gulzar noted that the dams were not being constructed because of the kickbacks involved in the project.

Wapda Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain informed the court that according to the law, the provincial government signed land contracts with the tribes living in the areas where the dams were being built. ”The provincial government makes the payment if the land is transferred to Wapda,” he added.

During the hearing, the court was given a visual presentation on Mohmand Dam.

The Wapda chairman told the court that roads had been built in less than six months and 24-hour construction work would begin on Mohmand Dam from next month.

He added that the first turbine of the dam would become operational in 2024 and the construction work would be completed by 2025.

The court ordered the Power Division secretary to come along with the report in the next hearing.



Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed that rumours were being spread that the money in the dam fund had been misappropriated. Justice Gulzar expressed his concerns over the refusal of private banks to receive donations from overseas Pakistanis for the dam fund.

Noting that this action was tantamount to contempt of court, the court ordered that State Bank to ensure all banks received donations.

The hearing was adjourned till the end of the winter break.

Transfer of hospitals

The Supreme Court has sought the details of the funds allocated by the federal and provincial governments for four hospitals that were transferred under the 18th Amendment.

A five-member larger bench headed by Justice Omar Ata Bandial, heard the review petitions against the decision to transfer the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), National Institute of Child Health (NICH) and Sheikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute (SZPMI) in Lahore to the federal government.

The additional attorney general told the court that the federal cabinet had decided to take over the administrative control of the hospitals.

Wagah border

The Supreme Court noted that security personnel for Wagah border should undergo a tolerance test to avoid deploying violent people at such sensitive places.

The court restored the services of Rangers official, Muhammad Omar, who was involved in a scuffle with tourists at Wagah border.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmad, heard the appeal of the Rangers official.

His counsel contended that his client was not relation involved in the incident and court had already restored the services of Alam Zeb, another accused in the case.