SC says WAPDA free to use dam fund for water projects

Sandra Loyd

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday stated the Water and Power Advancement Authority (WAPDA) can use the funds gathered for the building and construction of water tanks in the nation whenever it desires, including that the pinnacle court was just the custodian of the money.

A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, stated this while hearing a sou motu case relating to building and construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams fund was produced by former CJP Mian Saqib Nisar, who had actually likewise begun suo motu procedures for building and construction of dams in order to prevent a water crisis in the nation.

Resuming hearing of the case on Monday after a space, the court bought the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to present information of all the funds gathered for the dams in other countries.

The SBP official informed the court that if the dam fund was bought stocks, it might create more revenue however at the exact same time such financial investment involved dangers. They stated currently the fund is bought items that are more yet lucrative and safe and secure.

They informed the court that SBP had actually composed letters to foreign embassies to collect more fund for the function from overseas Pakistanis. CJ Ahmed asked the SBP to talk to embassies by means of phone instead of composing letters.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan, a member of the bench, stated if a Pakistani desires to deposit funds from a location where there is no Pakistani bank then because case the appropriate embassy need to understand the money moved to Pakistan.

The CJ asked WAPDA to resolve all land conflicts in connection with the dams, keeping in mind that Usmankhel and Burhankhel people had claim over a few of the location where Mohmand Dam is to bebuilt The official informed the court that just 32 households are living on that piece of land. They stated in the first stage of dam building and construction, WAPDA does not need that land.

Throughout the hearing, the extra attorney general of the United States informed the court that the Central Advancement Working Party (CDWP) has not yet green-lighted Mohmand Dam.

The CJ kept in mind that WAPDA has actually currently granted agreement for building and construction on Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

WAPDA’s counsel informed the court that building and construction deal with the dam has actually been begun and will finish by July 2028.

Wapda’s counsel informed the bench that deal with Mohmand Dam was likewise under method according to the schedule. “The first unit of the dam will become operational in 2024 while its third unit will complete by July 2025. There is no problem with regard to supply of fund for the project,” he stated in reply to a question.

The bench later on adjourned hearing for 6 months.

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