SC Reviews WAPDA Funds and Project Oversight Concerns

Islamabad-Supreme Court reviewed the case concerning funds for the Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams. During the proceedings, the federal government requested the release of these funds to both the federation and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

Additional Attorney General (AAG) Aamir Rehman informed the court that a separate petition had been submitted to facilitate this transfer. He clarified that the account holding the funds was established by the State Bank of Pakistan under the oversight of the Supreme Court.

These funds were originally collected through a campaign launched by the Supreme Court in 2018, with the State Bank of Pakistan overseeing the account as per the court’s directives.

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Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa inquired about the total amount in the dams funds, to which WAPDA’s lawyer, Saad Rasool, said they were approximately Rs20 billion.

During the hearing, the CJP questioned the origins of the case, asking how it initially began. The WAPDA lawyer explained that the Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice in 2018 during proceedings related to WAPDA projects, which led to the creation of a dedicated Dams Funds Implementation Bench. The bench, which convened 17 times, oversaw the use and allocation of the funds.

The Chief Justice voiced concerns about whether the Supreme Court should oversee every project undertaken by WAPDA, highlighting that the authority likely has multiple projects beyond the current scope. He noted that there are also disputes between private parties related to dam construction. The Chief Justice pointed out that the Supreme Court had chosen to address these disputes directly, instead of referring them to the appropriate judicial bodies.

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In response, the lawyer representing WAPDA requested that disputes involving private parties be handled by the relevant judicial forums rather than the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, leading a four-member bench, has called for all pertinent records related to the case to be submitted for further review. The court will continue to examine the petition and related issues as the case progresses.

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