Security beefed up: Chinese company resumes work on T5 Hydropower Project

HARIPUR: The work on the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project resumed here on Monday after five days of suspension, official sources and police said.

The sources at Tarbela Dam said that the Chinese construction company PCCCL which had been engaged to do the civil work of the powerhouse of the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project called back its workers to duties from Monday.

When contacted, Awami Labour Union General Secretary, Aslam Adil confirmed that the Chinese company had called back all the workers who were informed of work suspension vide office order No PCCCL/T5-Admin/2024-019, March 26, 2024.

Both Chinese and Pakistani workers were now busy in work amid a beefed-up security, said Aslam Adil.

When approached for comments, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ghazi Raja Bashir Khan confirmed that the PCCCL had called back its workers and Monday was the first day when the work on the T5 project restarted.

He said the security was beefed up inside the project and residential areas of the Chinese and their travel routes as per revised security protocols in line with the directives of higher authorities.

The PCCCL, also known as PowerChina, was tasked to complete the civil work of the 1530 MW hydropower project being built on the 5th tunnel of the Tarbela Dam. The project is scheduled to be completed by May 2026.