Senate panel raises alarm over Rs29.41bn Wapda loss

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Tuesday raised alarm over Rs29.41 billion losses by Wapda and stressed carrying out inquiry against the responsible for the losses.

The meeting focused on delay in implementation of committee recommendations and failure to act on critical audit reports, including a Rs29.41 billion loss suffered by Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).

Expressing dissatisfaction over lack of follow-up actions, Senator Awan emphasised if Ministry of Water Resources continues to neglect committee’s instructions, the matter would be escalated to the House. “We expect timely and accurate compliance reports with documentary evidence. If our recommendations are not implemented, we will have no choice but to take this matter to the House”, Awan stated.

In a serious exchange at the outset of the meeting, the chair of Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources expressed deep concern over unexplained delay in notification of Senator Saadia Abbasi’s nomination as a member of Board of Governors of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR). Despite multiple reminders issued following her nomination by Chairman of the Senate, notification had yet to be processed.

The committee had previously ratified Senator Abbasi’s appointment under Sub-Rule 6 of Rule 166 of Senate’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2012 during its meeting on August 2, 2024. However, despite committee’s endorsement, delay persisted, prompting pointed questions from the chair.

During the meeting, committee members emphasised urgency of issuing notification during working hours.

They demanded an explanation for protracted delay in compliance with Senate’s decision. The chair warned if a satisfactory justification not provided, the matter would be escalated to Senate’s Privilege Committee to examine why the committee’s recommendation had not been executed.

The committee raised serious concerns over absence of Chairman Wapda in the meeting. “The Chairman Wapda could only brief us with permission of Secretary for Water Resources, but we must know why he was not present today”, said a member of the committee.

A focal point of the discussion was unaddressed Rs29.41 billion loss reported in Auditor General’s report about Wapda, which remains unexplained despite repeated inquiries. Senator Awan called for accountability: “Authorities must explain why Wapda incurred such a significant loss, and why no inquiry has been initiated”.

Committee member Senator Sadia Abbasi criticised the ministry for failing to properly address the Auditor General’s annual audit reports, asserting the department’s responses to these reports were insufficient. “The Auditor General’s role is to highlight discrepancies, not to conduct an inquiry. The inquiry should follow procedures outlined by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) or Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC)”, Senator Abbasi pointed out.

The Ministry of Water Resources, however, defended its stance, stating the audit report of Auditor General for the year 2022-23 was not binding. “An inquiry cannot be initiated solely based on Auditor General’s report. Only DAC or PAC can direct further investigations”, said secretary of the ministry.

Senator Awan rejected ministry’s position, insisting the committee required answers. “How many inquiries have been initiated against discrepancies so far, and what were the outcomes?” he demanded.

The committee decided to listen to Wapda Chairman in the next meeting, where he would be required to present a full briefing on audit report and its findings. Senator Awan instructed the ministry to present a report on DAC inquiry within 15 days and the PAC inquiry report within an additional week.

The committee’s stance underscores its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability within water sector. With significant financial losses under scrutiny, the committee has called for immediate action to prevent further mismanagement of public funds. The meeting was attended by senators Faisal Saleem Rehman, Poonjo Bheel and Saadia Abbasi along with representatives from Ministry of Water Resources, Water and Power Development Authority, Federal Flood Commission, Capital Development Authority, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources and other affiliated departments.