ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the transfer of funds from the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams fund to the government of Pakistan’s bank account.
As per report, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa authored the judgment after hearing the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund case. The 6-page judgment, written by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Issa, stated that the Dam Fund amount should be transferred to the federal government’s public account.
Apex court further directed that once the funds are transferred, the Supreme Court’s account established for the dam fund should be closed. It also stated that a sub-account within the government’s public account should be opened for the transfer of the dams fund.
SC clarified that whenever the government requires funds for the construction of dams, the money can be utilized from the respective account. On this occasion, the SC disposed of all petitions related to the Dam Fund.
The decision had been delivered on October 9, with the federal govt requesting the releasing of the funds to the federation and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
Read More: Sindh announces new grading policy for matric, inter exams by 2025
“A subaccount of the public account of the government should be opened for the transfer of dams fund,” the order stated. The court further instructed the government to ensure the funds earn a markup from private banks, which would help maximize the amount available for future dam construction.
The court clarified that whenever the funds are needed for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams, the money can be accessed from the designated government account. With these directives, the court disposed of all petitions filed in connection with the dams fund case.
On Oct 9, the SC sought actionable suggestions from WAPDA, the auditor general, and the attorney general for Pakistan for the proper utilization of the funds in the dams fund case. During the hearing, the apex court was apprised that a complete investigation found no misappropriation of the fund.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, conducted the hearing, during which the court was informed that the dams fund currently holds over Rs23 billion, consisting of Rs11 billion as the principal amount and over Rs12 billion in markup.
CJP asked whether the fund could be placed in private banks to generate additional markup. Central banks legal advisor informed the court that the fund’s money is managed by the government, and any funds allocated to WAPDA must pass through the public account.
