ISLAMABAD-UNS: The committee took up the matter of NESPAK on the non-implementation regarding submission of re-evaluation report and status for ADB project for further consideration. The NESPAK apprised the committee that the domestic preference given in the financial evaluation was based on EDB ( Engineering Development Board) letter issued in February 2015 and the clarification should have been sorted for the usage of letter issued in February 2015 and the evaluation been done for the year 2022, which was not an appropriate action. The committee was further apprised that the usage of letter was for the period of 6 months. The committee observed that Newage cable was given domestic preferences on the basis of this letter, which put the whole preocument process in doubt. The committee after deliberation at length on the matter unanimously resolved to recommend the matter by sending a note by NESPAK in consultation with the NTDC to the Lender (The Asian Development Bank) and intimate them of the letter on the basis of which they were technically qualified, however the letter is of 2015 and was for valid for only 6 months therefore holds infructuous due to lapse of 5 years. The committee deferred the matter and further instructed the NESPAK and NTDC of sharing of the note within 3 days. It was also apprised that though the ADB has issued NOC to the newage company, the committee recommended that agreement should not be signed until the reevaluation process is completed in the light of the committee recommendations.
In the matter pertaining to NTDC and BoD, NTDC on non-implementation status and non serious attitude on clear recommendations of the committee the Power Division Officers apologized for the inappropriate Letter to Senate Standing Committee on Power. The officials further explained that the letter was written from the then Chairman and the Board did not approve the draft letter, the chairman later on resigned from his position , the NTDC board members apologised for the previous letter and officially withdrew it, they further said they highly value the committees input on the oversight of the ministries.
Further the agenda item pertaining to Daso Hydro Power Station to Islamabad transmission line contract was also discussed, the Turkish company SA-RA Energy which was the second lowest bidder gave stance that rendering of this contract to Sino-Hydro is not appropriate since, they do not have any relevant experience, “There are glitches and major mistakes in the submitted document of the contract, said the representative of the SA-RA energy. They further said that we have already held meetings with the NTDC and the power division and that we are ready to take this contract and we will complete it in time. The committee was further apprised in the meeting that the matter is subjudice in the court. The committee deliberated at length the Irregularities in Transmission Line Contract of Daso Hydro Project, while deliberately the matter the member committee were of the view to give opportunity to NTDC to also give their point of view
It was further deliberated by the SA-RA energy that they met with the World Bank at their head office and also found the perceived irregularities.
Senator Saifullah Abro while expressing displeasure over the lack of performance of the concerned department in resolving the matter. He further said that committee took agenda item to ensure transparency in the matter of the award of the project and prudent utilisation of the funds in the best interest of the State and the people of Pakistan. It was further informed by the Officials of the Power ministry that they have communicated the concerns raised by the committee along with the relevant documents but the World Bank country office has expressed full confidence in the process therefore they had to award the contract. On this Senator Dilawar Khan suggested that an in camera briefing be held on the subject matter within 10 days so that the power division could give a comprehensive briefing with appropriate documents.
