ISLAMABAD: A probe body related to the award of contracts for the construction of donor-funded 765KV double circuit transmission line from the Dasu hydropower station to Islamabad has finally cleared the project.
The caretaker minister for energy (Power Division), leading the probe committee alongside two other members the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) managing director and Power Division secretary, provided a detailed briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Power on Tuesday with Senator Azam Nazir Tarar chairing the session.
The NESPAK MD gave a presentation on several key projects. These projects included the Dasu Transmission Line Project (DTLP), specifically Lot-I managed by M/s Sinohydro Corporation Limited, Lot-II managed by M/s Harbin Electric International, and the consultant hiring for DTLP by M/s GOPA Intec. Furthermore, the MD addressed the ADB-4018-2022 project handled by M/s Newage Cables Lahore.
The caretaker minister stated that the World Bank, as the donor agency, retains authority to establish the framework for changes, stressing that transparency was upheld and there were no malicious actions on their part. Additionally, he refuted allegations against M/s Harbin Electric International, asserting that the accusations were unfounded.
On January 16, the Senate body had formed the three-member probe committee mandated to submit its findings within three weeks, following months of discussions in committee meetings over alleged irregularities in contract awards.
The probe body briefed the committee regarding the awarding of contracts to M/s Sinohydro Corporation for LoT-I, M/s Harbin Electric International for LoT-II and consultant M/s GOPA Intec for the construction of 765kV double circuit transmission line from Dasu Hydro Power Station to Islamabad I/C Grid Station and ADB project ACSR Bunting Conductor LoT-11 A.
The Power Division secretary provided a comprehensive overview of the circular debt situation, disclosing that all circular debts had reached their predetermined target of Rs2.31 trillion as of December 21, 2023, inclusive of those successfully negotiated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ensuring continuity into 2024. The targets were achieved by addressing technical and commercial losses through tariff adjustments.
