ISLAMABAD; Lawmakers on Wednesday expressed serious concern over WAPDA’s decades-long unresolved legal disputes, land cases valued at trillions of rupees, and the prolonged suspension of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project.
The concerns emerged during a detailed review of audit compliance reports, which revealed that some WAPDA-related cases have been pending for more than 21 years, with minimal progress over the last sixteen. The committee also raised alarm over the illegal contract of the Nai Gaj Dam worth Rs. 30 billion, currently under NAB investigation.
The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan, presided over the session attended by Senators Quratul Ain Marri, Faisal Salem Rahman, Dr. Humayun Mohmand, Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, and Saadia Abbasi. WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Saeed, Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, and senior officials of relevant departments were also present.
Senator Awan highlighted that WAPDA is occupying land valued at Rs. 10 billion, while court cases linked to Mangla Dam alone exceed Rs. 298.48 billion. He directed the authority to convene immediate meetings on all pending cases and submit a comprehensive progress report to the committee.
Committee members echoed similar concerns, with Senator Faisal Rahman criticizing WAPDA’s legal team for apparent inaction on longstanding disputes.
In response, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Saeed said he had already held three meetings in his first ten days to address the issues. He admitted that WAPDA’s records are not digitized but confirmed that digitization efforts were underway to reduce the backlog. He also clarified that compensation had been paid to Mangla Dam affectees, though some cases continue in court.
Officials noted that six NAB references, including two each related to Kachhi Canal and Nai Gaj Dam, are currently under investigation. The Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources stressed these cases are against individuals, not WAPDA.
The committee, however, insisted on accountability, summoning NAB and FIA for its next session and directing WAPDA and the Ministry to provide complete details of all cases, including those pending with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Regarding the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, the panel raised concerns over its closure following the collapse of the head-rise tunnel. Officials said a previous collapse of the tail-rise tunnel had been repaired, allowing operations for nine months before the new breakdown. Senator Awan deferred further discussion until the Prime Minister’s inquiry committee submits its report.
The committee recommended that WAPDA’s legal team immediately coordinate with the Auditor General and Ministry of Law to resolve audit cases from 2015-16 and provide detailed updates at the next meeting.
