Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal today blamed WAPDA for billions lost in delaying Diamer Basha and Tarbela hydropower projects.
He said this during the meeting of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP),
A revised project of the Ministry of Water Resources related to the Diamer-Basha Dam Project (Dam component, including helicopter cost adjustments), with an estimated cost of Rs. 485.006 billion, was reviewed and referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration.
Ahsan Iqbal expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in submitting the revised PC-I, noting that it had not been updated for the past six years despite a significant increase in project cost compared to the original approved estimate of Rs. 480 billion (2018). He termed this an indication of weak project management and directed the new Chairman of WAPDA to ensure professional handling of the project.
He further stated that concerns over escalating costs had repeatedly been raised since 2020, but the revised PC-I had still not been formally submitted. He instructed that these observations be properly recorded.
The CDWP approved revision of the helicopter-related component on security grounds but directed that the revised PC-I for the main dam works be submitted without delay.
The Minister also questioned whether WAPDA currently has a structured and integrated system for planning and managing large-scale infrastructure projects, urging institutional reforms to strengthen project delivery capacity.
The meeting also reviewed another revised proposal for the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project, valued at Rs. 316.41 billion, which was also referred to ECNEC for further approval.
While discussing the project, Ahsan Iqbal raised concerns over governance, transparency, and oversight mechanisms, stating that internal assessments by the Ministry of Water Resources had identified procedural shortcomings.
He questioned the replacement of an initially appointed international consultant with a local firm, describing the process as lacking transparency, and directed authorities to share the relevant inquiry report for review.
The Minister further noted that project costs had increased significantly, rising from Rs82 billion to over Rs140 billion, highlighting major cost overruns.
He directed that all concerns related to mismanagement, due diligence gaps, and consultant performance be formally examined by an inquiry committee headed by the Member Infrastructure and submitted to ECNEC with a detailed report.
Ahsan Iqbal also instructed relevant departments to develop a stronger institutional framework to prevent similar issues in future mega projects, emphasizing the need for improved accountability, professionalism, and project governance in organizations such as WAPDA.
When the excessive cost has been pocketed, now they want to introduce accountability. Now one feel ashamed to point out such things, as the loot and plunder continues unabated. It is remarkable that the touts are very honest about their commitment to their masters
🖕 Ye Lo Tum Ga*d Mein Ahsan iqbal Aur WAPDA K Sare Chairman Kuch Nhi Karna Tum SAB Ne Sara Paysa Barbad Banch*d Looto Bas Aawam Mo
Is this guy forgetting that his own govt wasted 50 years with endless promises to make those dams . Oh and add Imran khan as well. He took donations which didn’t work as well.
So why should we trust him now after 50 years of empty promises
The bots are triggered. Though none of them ever counter me.
Truth hurts
Ahan iqbal is busy in worshipping takloo hence he cannot blame them.