By Staff Reporter
Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, reviewed the implementation of its recommendations, ongoing and completed foreign-funded power sector projects, the progress of Sindh road sector projects, and the Emergency Flood Assistance Project (EFAP).
The Committee Chairman informed members that, in line with the Committee’s unanimous recommendations, the FIA and NAB had been directed to investigate alleged irregularities in the 765 kV Dasu-Islamabad Transmission Line Project and the ACRS Bunting Conductor Project. He appreciated the FIA’s efforts in uncovering the alleged misuse of goods imported under tax-exempt schemes, despite resistance from the FBR, and reiterated the Committee’s resolve to protect public funds and ensure accountability.
The Committee expressed serious concern over the Power Division’s reluctance to provide details regarding the auction of defunct power plants and stressed the need for transparency and strict implementation of the Right to Information Act. The Committee also discussed non-payment for power plants auctioned through the government-to-government (G2G) mechanism and allegations that certain individuals had used the name of a government-owned company to acquire auctioned plants after making only 10 percent payments.
The Committee sought detailed information on the mode of payment, right-of-way difficulties and law-and-order issues contributing to delays in the Dasu-Islamabad Transmission Line Project.
The Chairman assured the Committee that he would personally pursue the matter with the NHA, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and other stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues. He directed that the project be treated as a priority agenda item and must be completed at the earliest to safeguard public money.
The Committee also expressed concern over prolonged load-shedding in Sindh and urged the authorities to utilize available capacity of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), particularly in view of the capacity payments being made to them.
The Committee was informed that around 400 cases were currently under process and would be resolved.
The Chairman directed IESCO to address the issues while protecting the legitimate rights of consumers. He also directed IESCO to resolve complaints of overbilling and load-shedding faced by residents of Bahria Town.
The Committee was further briefed on the Emergency Flood Assistance Project (EFAP), under which 60 percent of the work has reportedly been completed across 17 districts of Sindh.
