ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court reopened the Nandipur power project case on Wednesday.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case on Wednesday. Former minister for water and power division Khawaja Asif, who is the petitioner in the case, was also present during the hearing.
Established in 2005 and expected to generate 525 megawatts of electricity, the estimated cost of the project increased to Rs58 billion from Rs22 billion because of delays.
“You were a federal minister and had the authority to resolve issues,” the CJP inquired from Asif.
Asif responded by citing conflict of interest as the reason behind his removal from the case. Nisar remarked that Asif could have initiated an investigation into the issue while he was minister.
Khawaja Asif informed the court that a commission head by Rahmat Ali Jafri was constituted to probe into the matter
“An order was passed to complete the Nandipur project and Chichonki Malian Hydropower Plant (CMHPP),” he said.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed that seven years had passed since Asif’s plea.
“You had petitioned in 2011. It has been seven years since then. What do you want this court to take up in the case?” the CJP remarked.
“It was not contracted to a private contractor, the government has been running the plant for the past five years,” Asif responded.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial observed that Asif had previously alleged a law ministry staff member behind the delay in the project.
In response, Asif confirmed he made the allegation and that the commission formed to ensure project completion admitted delay as the primary factor in cost hike.
The CJP remarked that the case will be taken up.
Notices were issued to all concerned parties including the federal government, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO).
The hearing was then adjourned till Thursday.
