Senate panel calls for swift action on Wapda matters

ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Thursday criticized the Ministry of Water Resources for its decades-long delay in settling audit paras, questioning whether the ministry was waiting for the responsible officials to pass away before addressing the issues.

The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan, expressed frustration over the pending audit paras involving the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).

Awan called for an urgent resolution to the audit paras that have been pending with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and directed the ministry to submit detailed reports on the status of the audit paras within 10 days. “Is the ministry waiting for the responsible officials to die before resolving these issues?” Awan remarked, expressing frustration over the prolonged delay.

He also demanded a comprehensive update on the directives issued on the audit paras, along with the outcomes of any inquiries into officials responsible for financial losses to the government.

The committee was briefed on Wapda’s extensive work, which includes constructing and maintaining powerhouses, grids and flood control systems, as well as efforts to prevent waterlogging.

Since its inception in 1958, Wapda has completed 15 dams, 23 hydropower plants, 14 thermal power plants, seven barrages, and 47,618 grid stations. Wapda currently contributes approximately 31 percent of Pakistan’s power capacity, with major projects like Tarbela Dam, Mangla Dam and Chashma Barrage generating a combined 6,142 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Ongoing projects, including the Diamer Basha Dam (4,500 MW), Dasu Dam (4,320 MW), Tarbela 5th Extension (1,530 MW), and the Floating Solar Ghazi & Barotha (300 MW), are expected to add 11,694 MW to the country’s power grid, irrigate 4 million acres and create over 35,000 jobs.

The committee was informed that river diversions have already been completed for Diamer Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam and Dasu Hydropower, while feasibility studies for additional projects have been finalized.