finalfantasy7
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Contact the PP Team
Dams fund raising watch Thread
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GILGIT: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday visited the site of Diamer Bhasha Dam during his daylong visit of Gilgit-Baltistan, ARY News reported.
The prime minister visited the site of the dam and inspected construction work of the project.
Addressing on the occasion Shehbaz Sharif said that Diamer Bhasha dam project was launched during the tenure of Mian Nawaz Sharif, it will boost the economic development in the country.
The water reservoir after completion will promote irrigation and agriculture, he said and invited foreign investors to come forward and invest in the project.
“We have to think about large energy projects immediately. Our crops need water supply on large scale and we will encourage the international investors,” the prime minister said.
“There were several challenges with regard to procurement of land for the project, which were tackled amicably and the work on project has now begin,” he further said.
“This project is very important for energy supply to Pakistan. We have to learn from the past to ensure saving precious water,” he said.
The prime minister urged setting up a hospital at the project site, he also urged for initiating a study about the need of a tunnel in the area.
Chairman Wapda Lt. General (Retd) Muzzamil Hussain in a briefing to the prime minister said that the water supply for irrigation will increase after completion of Diamer Bhasha Dam. The project will also enhance power generation in the country, he added. during his visit.
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khwaja Asif, Maryam Aurangzeb were also accompanied with the prime minister during the visit.
https://arynews.tv/pm-shehbaz-sharif-visits-diamer-bhasha-dam-project-site/
The prime minister visited the site of the dam and inspected construction work of the project.
Addressing on the occasion Shehbaz Sharif said that Diamer Bhasha dam project was launched during the tenure of Mian Nawaz Sharif, it will boost the economic development in the country.
The water reservoir after completion will promote irrigation and agriculture, he said and invited foreign investors to come forward and invest in the project.
“We have to think about large energy projects immediately. Our crops need water supply on large scale and we will encourage the international investors,” the prime minister said.
“There were several challenges with regard to procurement of land for the project, which were tackled amicably and the work on project has now begin,” he further said.
“This project is very important for energy supply to Pakistan. We have to learn from the past to ensure saving precious water,” he said.
The prime minister urged setting up a hospital at the project site, he also urged for initiating a study about the need of a tunnel in the area.
Chairman Wapda Lt. General (Retd) Muzzamil Hussain in a briefing to the prime minister said that the water supply for irrigation will increase after completion of Diamer Bhasha Dam. The project will also enhance power generation in the country, he added. during his visit.
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Khwaja Asif, Maryam Aurangzeb were also accompanied with the prime minister during the visit.
https://arynews.tv/pm-shehbaz-sharif-visits-diamer-bhasha-dam-project-site/
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He is an exceptional professional who combined passion, competence and patriotism. My worry is that his departure might adversely effect our critical Decade of Dams programme. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%B9%DA%88__%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA__%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%88%D8%B1?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#امپورٹڈ__حکومت__نامنظور</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jh1NJRejgq">pic.twitter.com/Jh1NJRejgq</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1522929683574239232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hermoine Green
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He was appointed by Nawaz Sharif himself. The PTI govt continued working with him due to his achievements
He is the 3rd man who stopped serving the country in recent times, famous because of work. Other two:
1. Governor SBP,
2. FBR Chairman
[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION]
Bewal Express
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SS will take charge and build the dams himself. These corrupt thugs don't like any professionals and this isn't a surprise. If you have professionals, commissions aren't received. Next target will be Nadra chairman
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Sindh on the verge of running dry
• Provincial barrages face acute water shortage owing to inadequate flows in Indus
• Minister says Sindh population, agriculture, livestock are at risk
HYDERABAD / ISLAMABAD: While the barrages of Sindh continue to face a severe water shortage, two controversial link canals were opened on Wednesday with the permission of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa). Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman called the 60 per cent shortage of water in the Indus “very dangerous”, putting at risk the provincial population, agriculture and livestock.
The Chashma-Jhelum (CJ) link canal, which was opened on Tuesday with a flow of 958 cusecs and was being provided 2,000 cusecs on Wednesday, is operated by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). The Taunsa-Panjnad (TP) link canal was regulated by Punjab’s irrigation department for which a flow of 2,404 cusecs was allowed on Wednesday.
Irrigation officials in Sindh told Dawn on Wednesday that Irsa Chairman Zahid Junejo was against opening of the CJ canal, observing that it could not be operated at this time as Tarbela Dam had inadequate flows and Sindh’s indent for water flows had not been met yet.
He claimed that downstream flows of Kotri barrage also remained zero and, above all, permission from the Sindh chief minister for opening of the CJ link canal had not been sought. “CJ is an interprovincial canal and can’t be operated like this. It can only be run when Sindh’s indent is met and there is surplus water in the system,” an official quoted the Irsa chairman as having observed on Tuesday.
Both the link canals have always been a bone of contention between Sindh and Irsa. These days Sindh’s barrages are facing an acute water shortage due to the inadequate water flows in the River Indus system. Initially early and now peak Kharif season was being badly hit in the province, leading to an outcry from the representatives of growers bodies.
“An average of 62pc shortage has been recorded at all three barrages of Sindh on Wednesday,” said the control room in-charge at Sukkur barrage, Aziz Soomro. The barrage feeds the right and left banks of Sindh through its seven major canals.
The barrage-wise shortage in Sindh shows Sukkur barrage short of 53.12pc with flows of 18,516 cusecs against an allocation of 39,500 cusecs; Kotri barrage is 69.4pc short with a flow of 4,805 cusecs against an allocation of 15,700 under the Water Apportionment Accord 1991. The Guddu barrage canals are presently closed.
On Wednesday, Sukkur barrage’s main Rohri canal had a shortage of 41.6pc, North Western Canal 46.4pc and Nara 33.6pc. Similarly, a 77.7pc shortage was being observed at Kotri barrage’s Akram Wah [controlled by the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida)], 76.6pc at new Phulelli, 69pc at old Phulelli and 27.5pc at Kalri Baghar feeder. These shortages are likely to worsen when the non-perennial old Phulelli (controlled by Sida) is opened for supply of six-month water.
Missing flows of Guddu
“Interestingly, an engineer of the Punjab irrigation government is present at Guddu barrage these days and will vouch that flows are reaching there,” remarked an irrigation official. He said there was another disturbing trend in the flows.
“Taunsa’s downstream flows were recorded at 47,532 cusecs on May 6 — up by 6,000 cusecs a day earlier on May 5. This is intriguing,” said an official. “Guddu barrage upstream flows always improve four days after Taunsa downstream flows record an upward trend.”
He further said that given this travel time between the two barrages, the rising trend at Taunsa barrage downstream is not being reflected at Guddu barrage upstream since May 8. “It means that the over 13,000 cusecs of flows released downstream Taunsa between May 6 and 11 have gone elsewhere because the downstream has shown a constant increase since May 4 after observing a dip initially,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, according to Sindh Irrigation Secretary Sohail Qureshi, the issue of opening of the link canals dominated a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Water Resources. “The issue was raised by Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro on the grounds that when the province did not experience normal flows why the link canals should be allowed to be opened,” he said. The meeting would continue on Thursday (today) as well
‘Dangerous shortage’
Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Wednesday expressed concern over the water crisis in Sindh. “The 60pc shortage of water in River Indus is very dangerous,” she told the media in Islamabad.
The population of the province, agriculture and livestock are at risk due to the 52pc to 62pc shortage in Sindh’s barrages and canals. “Many cities of the province are not receiving water due to a shortage in the Indus,” Ms Rehman said.
She further said right now, Kotri barrage downstream should have an adequate 15,000 cusecs of water, but instead less than 2,000 cusecs were being released. Due to this severe shortage, farmers were dangerously at a risk of losing their cotton, rice and other crops in Sindh. “Water scarcity in Sindh and south Punjab is worrisome in this warm weather.”
The minister quoted a UN report as saying Pakistan will experience a drought by 2025. According to a 1991 accord, equitable distribution of water was essential. “We have to ensure water conservation and fair distribution among the provinces,” Ms Rehman stressed.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1689256/sindh-on-the-verge-of-running-dry
• Provincial barrages face acute water shortage owing to inadequate flows in Indus
• Minister says Sindh population, agriculture, livestock are at risk
HYDERABAD / ISLAMABAD: While the barrages of Sindh continue to face a severe water shortage, two controversial link canals were opened on Wednesday with the permission of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa). Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman called the 60 per cent shortage of water in the Indus “very dangerous”, putting at risk the provincial population, agriculture and livestock.
The Chashma-Jhelum (CJ) link canal, which was opened on Tuesday with a flow of 958 cusecs and was being provided 2,000 cusecs on Wednesday, is operated by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). The Taunsa-Panjnad (TP) link canal was regulated by Punjab’s irrigation department for which a flow of 2,404 cusecs was allowed on Wednesday.
Irrigation officials in Sindh told Dawn on Wednesday that Irsa Chairman Zahid Junejo was against opening of the CJ canal, observing that it could not be operated at this time as Tarbela Dam had inadequate flows and Sindh’s indent for water flows had not been met yet.
He claimed that downstream flows of Kotri barrage also remained zero and, above all, permission from the Sindh chief minister for opening of the CJ link canal had not been sought. “CJ is an interprovincial canal and can’t be operated like this. It can only be run when Sindh’s indent is met and there is surplus water in the system,” an official quoted the Irsa chairman as having observed on Tuesday.
Both the link canals have always been a bone of contention between Sindh and Irsa. These days Sindh’s barrages are facing an acute water shortage due to the inadequate water flows in the River Indus system. Initially early and now peak Kharif season was being badly hit in the province, leading to an outcry from the representatives of growers bodies.
“An average of 62pc shortage has been recorded at all three barrages of Sindh on Wednesday,” said the control room in-charge at Sukkur barrage, Aziz Soomro. The barrage feeds the right and left banks of Sindh through its seven major canals.
The barrage-wise shortage in Sindh shows Sukkur barrage short of 53.12pc with flows of 18,516 cusecs against an allocation of 39,500 cusecs; Kotri barrage is 69.4pc short with a flow of 4,805 cusecs against an allocation of 15,700 under the Water Apportionment Accord 1991. The Guddu barrage canals are presently closed.
On Wednesday, Sukkur barrage’s main Rohri canal had a shortage of 41.6pc, North Western Canal 46.4pc and Nara 33.6pc. Similarly, a 77.7pc shortage was being observed at Kotri barrage’s Akram Wah [controlled by the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida)], 76.6pc at new Phulelli, 69pc at old Phulelli and 27.5pc at Kalri Baghar feeder. These shortages are likely to worsen when the non-perennial old Phulelli (controlled by Sida) is opened for supply of six-month water.
Missing flows of Guddu
“Interestingly, an engineer of the Punjab irrigation government is present at Guddu barrage these days and will vouch that flows are reaching there,” remarked an irrigation official. He said there was another disturbing trend in the flows.
“Taunsa’s downstream flows were recorded at 47,532 cusecs on May 6 — up by 6,000 cusecs a day earlier on May 5. This is intriguing,” said an official. “Guddu barrage upstream flows always improve four days after Taunsa downstream flows record an upward trend.”
He further said that given this travel time between the two barrages, the rising trend at Taunsa barrage downstream is not being reflected at Guddu barrage upstream since May 8. “It means that the over 13,000 cusecs of flows released downstream Taunsa between May 6 and 11 have gone elsewhere because the downstream has shown a constant increase since May 4 after observing a dip initially,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, according to Sindh Irrigation Secretary Sohail Qureshi, the issue of opening of the link canals dominated a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Water Resources. “The issue was raised by Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro on the grounds that when the province did not experience normal flows why the link canals should be allowed to be opened,” he said. The meeting would continue on Thursday (today) as well
‘Dangerous shortage’
Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Wednesday expressed concern over the water crisis in Sindh. “The 60pc shortage of water in River Indus is very dangerous,” she told the media in Islamabad.
The population of the province, agriculture and livestock are at risk due to the 52pc to 62pc shortage in Sindh’s barrages and canals. “Many cities of the province are not receiving water due to a shortage in the Indus,” Ms Rehman said.
She further said right now, Kotri barrage downstream should have an adequate 15,000 cusecs of water, but instead less than 2,000 cusecs were being released. Due to this severe shortage, farmers were dangerously at a risk of losing their cotton, rice and other crops in Sindh. “Water scarcity in Sindh and south Punjab is worrisome in this warm weather.”
The minister quoted a UN report as saying Pakistan will experience a drought by 2025. According to a 1991 accord, equitable distribution of water was essential. “We have to ensure water conservation and fair distribution among the provinces,” Ms Rehman stressed.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1689256/sindh-on-the-verge-of-running-dry
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The government has signed an agreement worth $72 million for the development of the Mohmand Dam power plant, ARY News reported.
According to details, the federal government has signed a contract worth $72 million for the development of the Mohmand Dam power plant with the OPEC Fund for International Development.
The dam would be constructed over the Swat river in the Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The dam, after completion, would be able to produce 2,862 gigawatts of electricity at a cheaper rate.
The dam would have a storage capacity of 1,293 million/acre.ft.
According to details, the federal government has signed a contract worth $72 million for the development of the Mohmand Dam power plant with the OPEC Fund for International Development.
The dam would be constructed over the Swat river in the Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The dam, after completion, would be able to produce 2,862 gigawatts of electricity at a cheaper rate.
The dam would have a storage capacity of 1,293 million/acre.ft.
finalfantasy7
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whos building it pakistan? or is it a joint operation
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Pakistan recently experienced one of its worst floods, which submerged swathes of the country. Though many climate experts have blamed human-caused climate change for the deluge, fingers are being pointed towards the country's overwhelmed dams. According to a report in Vice News, the proposed Diamer-Bhasha Dam on the Indus River is caught in a scandal. The "mega dam" is supposed to solve many problems for the country, including flooding, a government report has highlighted major flaws in the entire plan.
A report by Pakistan's Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) said that $40 million was raised from the public for the construction of the dam, but $63 million was spent on advertising it, and it's nowhere close to completion.
The dam was originally meant to be completed in the 1980s, but factors like environmental impact and escalating cost kept delaying the project. Then, in 2018, former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar set up a fund for the construction of dam - the cost had escalated to $14 billion by then.
Mr Nisar set up the fund to take donation from people of Pakistan, claiming that they would provide the billions needed for the dam's construction, said the Vice News report.
The contributions started pouring in not just from public but country's cricket team and top musicians. The army and several government employees gave up a portion of their salaries to provide $1 billion, said the outlet.
Imran Khan, who was Pakistan's Prime Minister then, assumed joint leadership of the fund.
When Mr Nisar retired in 2019, there was a shortfall of $6.3 billion, said Vice News. But his fresh comment shocked the people of the country. The now-retired chief justice of Pakistan said the fund was never meant for actually building the dam, but to raise awareness.
The allegations of corruption soon surfaced and many influential Pakistanis started speaking against the "joint venture". A member of Pakistan National Assembly, Ahsan Iqbal, claimed that more amount had been spent on advertising for the dam fund than was raised for it.
The PAC last month summoned Mr Nisar to provide explanation regarding the dam fund that was established during his time.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, when constructed, will have a height of 272 metres. According to officials, it will have a power generation capacity of 4,500 megawatts.
NDTV
A report by Pakistan's Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) said that $40 million was raised from the public for the construction of the dam, but $63 million was spent on advertising it, and it's nowhere close to completion.
The dam was originally meant to be completed in the 1980s, but factors like environmental impact and escalating cost kept delaying the project. Then, in 2018, former chief justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar set up a fund for the construction of dam - the cost had escalated to $14 billion by then.
Mr Nisar set up the fund to take donation from people of Pakistan, claiming that they would provide the billions needed for the dam's construction, said the Vice News report.
The contributions started pouring in not just from public but country's cricket team and top musicians. The army and several government employees gave up a portion of their salaries to provide $1 billion, said the outlet.
Imran Khan, who was Pakistan's Prime Minister then, assumed joint leadership of the fund.
When Mr Nisar retired in 2019, there was a shortfall of $6.3 billion, said Vice News. But his fresh comment shocked the people of the country. The now-retired chief justice of Pakistan said the fund was never meant for actually building the dam, but to raise awareness.
The allegations of corruption soon surfaced and many influential Pakistanis started speaking against the "joint venture". A member of Pakistan National Assembly, Ahsan Iqbal, claimed that more amount had been spent on advertising for the dam fund than was raised for it.
The PAC last month summoned Mr Nisar to provide explanation regarding the dam fund that was established during his time.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, when constructed, will have a height of 272 metres. According to officials, it will have a power generation capacity of 4,500 megawatts.
NDTV
daytrader
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Dam fund at Rs16.35bn, work ‘hit by floods’
The Supreme Court was infor*med on Thursday that various factors, including recent floods and Covid-19, delayed the construction of the Mohmand and Diamer-Bhasha dams for at least nine months to a year.
In addition to the natural disasters, development funds have also not been released by the government to help ameliorate the equity injections on part of Wapda for the construction of the dams.
Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, a five-judge bench was told that the dam fund created in 2018 by then chief justice Saqib Nisar has increased to Rs16.35 billion — this value will increase to Rs16.98 billion in a few months when the funds deposited in the State of Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) investment schemes get matured.
...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1731408/dam-fund-at-rs1635bn-work-hit-by-floods
The Supreme Court was infor*med on Thursday that various factors, including recent floods and Covid-19, delayed the construction of the Mohmand and Diamer-Bhasha dams for at least nine months to a year.
In addition to the natural disasters, development funds have also not been released by the government to help ameliorate the equity injections on part of Wapda for the construction of the dams.
Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, a five-judge bench was told that the dam fund created in 2018 by then chief justice Saqib Nisar has increased to Rs16.35 billion — this value will increase to Rs16.98 billion in a few months when the funds deposited in the State of Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) investment schemes get matured.
...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1731408/dam-fund-at-rs1635bn-work-hit-by-floods
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The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has provided $240 million loan to Pakistan for the Mohmand Dam project.
According to the Economic Affairs Division, the project is aimed at improving food and water security and promoting socio-economic development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Powered by renewable energy, the Mohmand Dam Project will generate 800MW of electricity.
The EAD secretary thanked Saudi Arabia for continuous development cooperation and said the kingdom's contribution to the Mohmand Dam project was important.
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Business/713758-Saudi-Arabia-provides-$240m-loan-for-Mohmand-Dam-project
According to the Economic Affairs Division, the project is aimed at improving food and water security and promoting socio-economic development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Powered by renewable energy, the Mohmand Dam Project will generate 800MW of electricity.
The EAD secretary thanked Saudi Arabia for continuous development cooperation and said the kingdom's contribution to the Mohmand Dam project was important.
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Business/713758-Saudi-Arabia-provides-$240m-loan-for-Mohmand-Dam-project
daytrader
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Resolution calls for depositing Diamer-Bhasha dam funds into kitty
Demands resources be utilised for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims
A resolution was tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for the amount collected in the Diamer-Bhasha dam fund to be deposited in the national treasury, Express News reported.
The resolution, presented by MNA Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das, demanded that the resources be utilised for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the catastrophic floods of 2022.
The resolution stated that former chief justice Saqib Nisar had violated judicial traditions and rules by collecting funds for the construction of new dams and water reservoirs, leading to the establishment of the "Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund" on July 10, 2018.
The resolution also referenced to a news report stating that a five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial was informed that as of January 2023, there were Rs16.53 billion in the fund, with an expected increase to Rs16.98 billion in the next quarter.
The Mohmand multipurpose dam project is said to enhance water and food security, and improve the standard of living for the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where almost 80% of the population resides in rural areas, boosting the region's socioeconomic development by creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty levels.
...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/241197...depositing-diamer-bhasha-dam-funds-into-kitty
Demands resources be utilised for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims
A resolution was tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for the amount collected in the Diamer-Bhasha dam fund to be deposited in the national treasury, Express News reported.
The resolution, presented by MNA Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das, demanded that the resources be utilised for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the catastrophic floods of 2022.
The resolution stated that former chief justice Saqib Nisar had violated judicial traditions and rules by collecting funds for the construction of new dams and water reservoirs, leading to the establishment of the "Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund" on July 10, 2018.
The resolution also referenced to a news report stating that a five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial was informed that as of January 2023, there were Rs16.53 billion in the fund, with an expected increase to Rs16.98 billion in the next quarter.
The Mohmand multipurpose dam project is said to enhance water and food security, and improve the standard of living for the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where almost 80% of the population resides in rural areas, boosting the region's socioeconomic development by creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty levels.
...
https://tribune.com.pk/story/241197...depositing-diamer-bhasha-dam-funds-into-kitty
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Dams fund has Rs 17.86b, Senate told
Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar on Friday disclosed that there was a sum of Rs17.86 billion in the Supreme Court and Prime Minister’s Dams Fund.
In her written response submitted to the Senate, Dr Akhtar informed the House that an amount of Rs11.46 billion was directly contributed to the fund, while an additional sum of Rs6.29 billion was gathered as profit on government investments.
The interim minister made it clear that no withdrawal had been made from the dams fund and any such move would require the judiciary’s permission.
She said this “transparency and accountability” in managing the fund’s resources were necessary for ensuring the effective use of the money it had for the construction of the dams.
tribune.com.pk
Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar on Friday disclosed that there was a sum of Rs17.86 billion in the Supreme Court and Prime Minister’s Dams Fund.
In her written response submitted to the Senate, Dr Akhtar informed the House that an amount of Rs11.46 billion was directly contributed to the fund, while an additional sum of Rs6.29 billion was gathered as profit on government investments.
The interim minister made it clear that no withdrawal had been made from the dams fund and any such move would require the judiciary’s permission.
She said this “transparency and accountability” in managing the fund’s resources were necessary for ensuring the effective use of the money it had for the construction of the dams.
Dams fund has Rs 17.86b, Senate told | The Express Tribune
Interim finance minister says no withdrawal made from this sum
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SC seeks expert opinion on dam fund supervision
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the assistance of legal experts on whether it should continue supervising the accounts opened under its 2018 order with great fanfare to generate funds for the development of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
A four-judge SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, decided after the hearing to issue notices to former attorney generals Khalid Jawed Khan and Anwar Mansoor, as well as amicus curiae Makhdoom Ali Khan, seeking their assistance in the matter.
The bench had taken up an application jointly moved by the federal government and Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) seeking transfer of funds from the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund — set up by the apex court and currently held by the State Bank of Pakistan — to Wapda’s accounts in the National Bank of Pakistan.
The application also pleaded that the government and Wapda, the executing utility agency of hydropower generation, should be allowed to solely and exclusively utilise the funds created for the construction of the two dams.
During the hearing, the court was informed that the funds had swelled to Rs18.6 billion of which Rs7.1bn alone was the profit earned on the collected amount.
Since the information about the funds was not updated as it was compiled last year, the Supreme Court ordered the SBP to apprise it of the exact nature of the funds with complete breakdown.
Barrister Saad Rasool, representing Wapda, told the court that the authority had been furnishing progress reports periodically. The court, however, directed that the progress report of 2023-24 be forwarded to the federal government as well as to the AGP office so that they could file concise statements if they want to.
The counsel said the funds should be released directly to Wapda, rather than going to the federal government, and also suggested that the Supreme Court’s supervision of the funds may not be the most effective approach moving forward.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Chaudhry Aamir Rehman highlighted Article 78(2b) of the Constitution that suggests that all revenues or money received or deposited with the Supreme Court or any other court established under the authority of the federation should be form part of a Consolidated Fund to be known as the Federal Consolidated Fund.
Thus the money received or deposited with the Supreme Court, the AAG stated, should be credited to the federation’s public accounts. Therefore, the retention of the funds by the Supreme Court may not be appropriate, he said, assuring the court that the funds when transferred will exclusively be used for the construction of the dams.
In view of the financial procedures involved in the matter, the Supreme Court directed the AGP to either attend the next hearing or designate a senior officer to assist the court in the matter of transfer of the funds to the accounts of the executing agency as has been sought.
The court will resume the hearing after three weeks.
The account was opened in pursuance of the 2018 order of the Supreme Court, headed by then CJP Mian Saqib Nisar who had also deposited Rs1 million as donation in the account from his personal account.
On Sept 10, 2018, then army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also donated over Rs1 billion towards the cause after a meeting with Justice Saqib Nisar at the Supreme Court building.
The account was established with a public appeal for generous donations, earmarked exclusively for the construction and development of the dams, and was to be administered, for the time being, under the SC orders.
The court order had also made it clear that the funds in this account would not, under any circumstance or for any reason, be diverted or utilised for any purpose other than the construction of the dams. To avoid any ambiguity, the apex court had declared that no questions would be asked by any authority or department, including tax authorities, about the source of funds donated to the account. However, the utilisation of the funds would be subject to audit as per directions of the apex court.
DAWN NEWS
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the assistance of legal experts on whether it should continue supervising the accounts opened under its 2018 order with great fanfare to generate funds for the development of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
A four-judge SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, decided after the hearing to issue notices to former attorney generals Khalid Jawed Khan and Anwar Mansoor, as well as amicus curiae Makhdoom Ali Khan, seeking their assistance in the matter.
The bench had taken up an application jointly moved by the federal government and Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) seeking transfer of funds from the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund — set up by the apex court and currently held by the State Bank of Pakistan — to Wapda’s accounts in the National Bank of Pakistan.
The application also pleaded that the government and Wapda, the executing utility agency of hydropower generation, should be allowed to solely and exclusively utilise the funds created for the construction of the two dams.
During the hearing, the court was informed that the funds had swelled to Rs18.6 billion of which Rs7.1bn alone was the profit earned on the collected amount.
Since the information about the funds was not updated as it was compiled last year, the Supreme Court ordered the SBP to apprise it of the exact nature of the funds with complete breakdown.
Barrister Saad Rasool, representing Wapda, told the court that the authority had been furnishing progress reports periodically. The court, however, directed that the progress report of 2023-24 be forwarded to the federal government as well as to the AGP office so that they could file concise statements if they want to.
The counsel said the funds should be released directly to Wapda, rather than going to the federal government, and also suggested that the Supreme Court’s supervision of the funds may not be the most effective approach moving forward.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Chaudhry Aamir Rehman highlighted Article 78(2b) of the Constitution that suggests that all revenues or money received or deposited with the Supreme Court or any other court established under the authority of the federation should be form part of a Consolidated Fund to be known as the Federal Consolidated Fund.
Thus the money received or deposited with the Supreme Court, the AAG stated, should be credited to the federation’s public accounts. Therefore, the retention of the funds by the Supreme Court may not be appropriate, he said, assuring the court that the funds when transferred will exclusively be used for the construction of the dams.
In view of the financial procedures involved in the matter, the Supreme Court directed the AGP to either attend the next hearing or designate a senior officer to assist the court in the matter of transfer of the funds to the accounts of the executing agency as has been sought.
The court will resume the hearing after three weeks.
The account was opened in pursuance of the 2018 order of the Supreme Court, headed by then CJP Mian Saqib Nisar who had also deposited Rs1 million as donation in the account from his personal account.
On Sept 10, 2018, then army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa also donated over Rs1 billion towards the cause after a meeting with Justice Saqib Nisar at the Supreme Court building.
The account was established with a public appeal for generous donations, earmarked exclusively for the construction and development of the dams, and was to be administered, for the time being, under the SC orders.
The court order had also made it clear that the funds in this account would not, under any circumstance or for any reason, be diverted or utilised for any purpose other than the construction of the dams. To avoid any ambiguity, the apex court had declared that no questions would be asked by any authority or department, including tax authorities, about the source of funds donated to the account. However, the utilisation of the funds would be subject to audit as per directions of the apex court.
DAWN NEWS
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