Islamabad:
The Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) referred on Tuesday the case of the overhaul of the Highway Karakoram project to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), citing alleged violations of the rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
At a PAC meeting chaired by Junaid Akbar Khan, audit officials reported serious irregularities in the Karakoram highway overhaul. According to the audit, the cost of the project increased considerably from 4 billion rupees to 36 billion rupees due to the overhaul.
Officials of the Ministry of Water Resources explained that the overhaul had become necessary after the launch of the Chine-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and that the new road design is aligned with CPEC standards.
Sanaullah Masti Khel, a member of the committee, noted that although an ordinary road could cost 1 billion rupees, CPEC road standards could cost 10 billion rupees. He added that public concerns are justified, pointing out “wherever you look at, you find that the military staff registered money”.
Another member of the Committee, Aamir Dogar, underlined the growing trend in the appointment of retired military generals as presidents of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). PAC president Junaid Akbar added that they would continue to see former generals obtain key positions. The president of Wapda, LT Gen (RETD), Sajjad Ghani defended his appointment, saying that it was based on merit. He stressed that he was 45 years of relevant experience and that his selection for the position should not be linked to his military history.
During the session, senator Shibli Faraz interviewed the president of the WAPDA concerning the overhaul of the Karakoram road project. “On what basis did you change the design?” Who are you to make this decision? Do you consider yourself God? What kind of ego is it? “Asked the legislator suddenly.
The Water Resources Secretary said that an investigation had been ordered and that they had not asked that the AUDIT to be settled. The president of the CAP asked how the project even started if there was no land.
President Junaid Akbar Khan pointed out that each of the WAPDA projects is delayed. “You will not be able to defend this,” he said when the CAP has returned the question to Nab. Khan also informed the members that the Committee had recovered more than RS118 billion in just two months. “These figures are not ours, but those of the auditor general of Pakistan,” he said.
A report presented by the Ministry of Water Resources has revealed that almost all major water projects in Pakistan are faced with delays. Of seven major projects, even one did not reach the completion of 50%.
