- Senate Committee on EAD decides to brief PM on irregularities in foreign-funded power projects
- Committee wants FIA and NAB to investigate alleged corruption
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Economic Affairs Division on Thursday decided to tell the Prime Minister about irregularities and alleged corruption in foreign-funded power projects. They also want the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to investigate.
The Senate Committee on Economic Affairs Division made this decision unanimously. The committee is led by Senator Saifullah Abro. They took this step after the Economic Affairs Division said it cannot directly order an inquiry into projects of another ministry.
Senator Kamran Murtaza was unhappy with an EAD letter. The letter said the committees jurisdiction was being questioned. He said the committee should first check if it has the authority to proceed. If not then there is no point in continuing the meeting.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha said the letter was an attempt to create confusion. He said it was diverting attention from irregularities and alleged corruption in foreign-funded projects.
The EAD secretary, Humair Karim accepted responsibility for the letter. However he said there was no disrespect towards parliament. He said Senate recommendations were always implemented.
The committee identified irregularities in projects financed through foreign loans. They want the EAD to facilitate borrowing. However project implementation is the responsibility of executing ministries.
The chairman, Senator Saifullah Abro said alleged corruption in foreign-funded projects was established earlier. The committee instructed the EAD to refer projects involving allegations of corruption to NAB and the FIA.
The committee then decided to write to NAB and the FIA. They want inquiries into two Power Division projects and other projects. The EAD must submit all correspondence exchanged with the ministry concerned. This will be done within three days.
The report will be forwarded to the Prime Minister, PAC, NAB and FIA. Senators Mahmoodul Hassan, Syed Waqar Mehdi, Kamran Murtaza, Kamil Ali Agha, Haji Hidayatullah Khan and Ahmed Khan proposed this.
They want the committees investigation report and recommendations to be sent to the Prime Minister, PAC, NAB and FIA. This is, for action.
