ISLAMABAD: Federal government has officially requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan to release the funds collected for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
During a hearing on the dams fund case, Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman informed the court that a miscellaneous petition had been submitted, requesting the transfer of the dams fund to the federal government and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
Aamir Rehman noted that the State Bank of Pakistan had opened the fund account under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
During the session, the Chief Justice of Pakistan inquired about the current amount held in the dams fund and how the project was initiated.
Report says, WAPDA counsel, Saad Rasool, responded by stating that around PKR 20 billion had been collected.
The fund was established in 2018 after the Supreme Court took suo motu notice regarding dam construction.
Aamir Rasool added that the Supreme Court’s implementation bench had conducted 17 hearings on the matter. CJP Isa further says about WAPDA other ongoing projects and whether Supreme Court had direct oversight of them all.
Aamir Rasool explained that disputes between private parties over the dam constructions had also been heard in the Supreme Court instead of lower courts, but WAPDA now believes these matters should be handled by the relevant judicial forums.
The court has requested the relevant records and adjourned the session for a short recess.
A private tv channel report, Last year a resolution was tabled in the National Assembly calling for the amount collected in the Diamer-Bhasha dam fund to be deposited in the national treasury.
The resolution, presented by MNA Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das, demanded that the resources be used 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, which led to the establishment of the “Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund” on July 10, 2018.
