Secretary Water Resources Muhammad Ashraf said on Monday that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is arresting officials on the issue of lapses in processes.

He was talking to Business Recorder, after witnessing the signing ceremony of 3220MW Dasu Hydropower Project.

Ministry of Water Resources had handed over the documents of the project to NAB due to financial implications associated with the land acquisition prices which increased manifold.

The project was planned to be completed in 2019 but the construction on main works could not begin in 2017 due to non-availability of land causing daily loss of Rs 335 million on account of commitment charges and generation loss, besides deprivation of other economic dividends.

Answering a question, Secretary Water Resources said NAB had cleared land acquisition process of Dasu Hydropower Project.

In reply to another question, he said, the summary of land acquisition of Dasu Hydropower Project was submitted to NAB for clearance prior to submission to the Federal Cabinet.

Asked if Water Resources Ministry has informed the Cabinet that the process of land acquisition will be submitted to NAB, he clarified that NAB did not clear such things after approval, adding NAB had been taken on board on the summary.

Later on, talking to Business Recorder Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Lt General Muzammal Hussain (retired) said that a number of Wapda's officials are facing inquiries in NAB.

He said every project which was over Rs 50 million is submitted to NAB for clearance and if they have any questions Wapda will satisfy them.

He cited the example of Kachhi Canal which is now being probed by NAB arguing that inquiries are a continuous process as people file applications, adding that Wapda is an open and transparent organization.

He, however, denied that any of the projects initiated during this tenure were being investigated by NAB.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019