Chahan Dam contracts' issue remains unresolved
The controversy over awarding Lot Two and Lot Three contracts from Chahan Dam to Rawalpindi under the Dream Project could not be resolved.
Project Director Hamza Salik was removed from his post and additional Secretary Finance Omar Javed was appointed as the new Project Director. The cancellation of the contract for the supply of 12 million gallons of additional water per day upon completion of the Lot Two and Lot Three contract at a cost of Rs20.4 billion funded by the Asian Development Bank was suspended by the High Court.
The court also issued instructions to resolve the matter within two weeks. Rawalpindi will be able to get 17 million gallons of additional water per day upon completion of the project from Lot One to Lot Four.
The contract for Lot One of the projects was awarded to China Construction Third Engineering at a cost of Rs6.36 billion, while the contract for Lot Four was awarded to MS Metracon BDL and Turkish company Five H Insat at a cost of Rs7.19 billion. Work on both contracts is ongoing. With the completion of these projects, Rawalpindi will get 5 million gallons of additional water per day from Khanpur Dam and Rawal Dam.
In addition, the joint venture company of the project had objected to the award of the contract for Lot Two and Lot Three to Turkish company Five H Insat at a cost of Rs20.40 billion. The project director had cancelled the contract on the recommendation of the Steering Committee for Dream Project after the fact-finding of the Chief Minister Inspection Team on the objection of the joint venture company of the project.
When the company challenged the decision in the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court, Justice Jawad Hassan suspended the decision of the project director and WASA MD and directed them to resolve the matter by mutual agreement with the Turkish company within two weeks.
However, after the meeting of the steering committee of the Dream Project, the project director of the Dream Project, Hamza Salik, was removed from his post and Additional Secretary Finance Omar Javed has been appointed as the new project director of the Dream Project.
Now, in the light of the court's decision, the steering committee of the Dream Project will decide to award the contracts of Lot two and Lot three. If the matter of awarding the contracts of Lot two and Lot three drags on, the completion of the loan-funded project of the Asian Development Bank may be delayed.
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Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Chahan Dam contracts' issue remains unresolved
The controversy over awarding Lot Two and Lot Three contracts from Chahan Dam to Rawalpindi under the Dream Project could not be resolved. Project Director Hamza Salik was removed from his post and additional Secretary Finance Omar Javed was appointed as the new Project Director. The cancellation of the contract for the supply of 12 million gallons of additional water per day upon completion of the Lot Two and Lot Three contract at a cost of Rs20.4 billion funded by the Asian Development Bank was suspended by the High Court. The court also issued instructions to resolve the matter within two weeks. Rawalpindi will be able to get 17 million gallons of additional water per day upon completion of the project from Lot One to Lot Four. The contract for Lot One of the projects was awarded to China Construction Third Engineering at a cost of Rs6.36 billion, while the contract for Lot Four was awarded to MS Metracon BDL and Turkish company Five H Insat at a cost of Rs7.19 billion. Work on both contracts is ongoing. With the completion of these projects, Rawalpindi will get 5 million gallons of additional water per day from Khanpur Dam and Rawal Dam. In addition, the joint venture company of the project had objected to the award of the contract for Lot Two and Lot Three to Turkish company Five H Insat at a cost of Rs20.40 billion. The project director had cancelled the contract on the recommendation of the Steering Committee for Dream Project after the fact-finding of the Chief Minister Inspection Team on the objection of the joint venture company of the project. When the company challenged the decision in the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court, Justice Jawad Hassan suspended the decision of the project director and WASA MD and directed them to resolve the matter by mutual agreement with the Turkish company within two weeks. However, after the meeting of the steering committee of the Dream Project, the project director of the Dream Project, Hamza Salik, was removed from his post and Additional Secretary Finance Omar Javed has been appointed as the new project director of the Dream Project. Now, in the light of the court's decision, the steering committee of the Dream Project will decide to award the contracts of Lot two and Lot three. If the matter of awarding the contracts of Lot two and Lot three drags on, the completion of the loan-funded project of the Asian Development Bank may be delayed.
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PM decries Israeli aggression as a threat to regional peace
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held telephonic conversations with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan and discussed with them the Israeli aggression. The prime minister said Pakistan stood resolutely in solidarity with the brotherly people and the government of Iran in the face of Israel's unprovoked and unjustified aggression. He strongly condemned Israeli attacks against Iran, that violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and were in complete defiance of the UN Charter and international law. Iran had the right to self defence, as provided under Article 51 of the UN Charter, he added. While expressing heartfelt condolences to President Pezeshkian over the loss of precious lives in the attacks, the prime minister recalled Pakistan's support to Iran at the UN Security Council's emergency meeting, held on Friday. The PM denounced Israel's blatant provocations and adventurism as a grave threat to regional and global peace and stability. He also strongly condemned Israel's unabated genocidal campaign against the valiant Palestinians, carried out with complete impunity. He urged the international community and the United Nations to take urgent and credible steps to put an end to Israel's aggressive behaviour and its illegal actions. He stated that Pakistan was fully committed to promoting peace in the region and stood ready to play its role in this context. President Pezeshkian thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan's support and solidarity with Iran at this difficult time, particularly at the UN Security Council. He said this gesture was reflective of the close and brotherly relations between the two countries. He apprised the PM about Iran's perspective on the crisis with Israel and urged the international community, particularly the Islamic countries, to work together closely to counter these threats. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact. The Iranian president criticised what he described as the United States' "dishonesty" for supporting Israel while Washington and Tehran were engaged in nuclear talks. "The Zionist regime's coordination with the United States in its aggression against Iranian territory in the midst of negotiations is a sign of America's dishonesty and unreliability," Pezeshkian said in a phone call with the prime minister, according to the Iranian presidency. He warned that there would be a "more severe and powerful response" if Israel continued to strike his country. "The continuation of Zionist aggression will be met with a more severe and powerful response from the Iranian armed forces," Pezeshkian told the prime minister, according to the Iranian presidency. The prime minister also held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye and the two agreed that "Israel's unprovoked aggression against Iran" was "a blatant violation of international law and a threat to regional peace". Both the leaders discussed the deeply worrying situation in the region in the wake of Israel's unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Iran. The two leaders agreed that Israel's military strikes had violated Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, in clear contravention of the UN Charter and international law, while seriously jeopardizing regional and global peace and stability. They also denounced Israel's brazen military aggression against the brave Palestinian people, that continued with complete impunity. The two leaders emphasized that the international community and the United Nations must act collectively and urge Israel to immediately end its aggressive posturing and illegal actions against Iran, Palestine and other countries in the region. While renewing Pakistan's firm and unwavering commitment to upholding international peace, security and stability, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for peace, both as member of the UN Security Council, as well as in other forums such as the OIC. In this regard, the prime minister said that Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar would represent Pakistan at the upcoming OIC CFM meeting in Istanbul. He also congratulated President Erdogan for being decorated by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF). OIC session Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency meeting to develop a joint strategy in response to Israel's ongoing aggression. Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister condemned Israel's brutal actions, especially its military aggression against Iran. He called it a serious threat to regional and global peace. "Palestinian children are being killed, yet there are more protests in non-Muslim countries than in Muslim nations," he remarked with regret. He warned that if the Muslim world doesn't act together, every country will eventually become a target. "The way Israel has targeted Yemen, Iran, and Palestine shows a larger plan. Most Muslim nations are already facing security risks. Strong leadership is needed now," he said. He highlighted how the world was closely watching Pakistan's coastal borders during recent tensions, and how Pakistan's armed forces defended the nation bravely. "Our navy's response forced the enemy to retreat," he said. The defence minister said that while Pakistan's military strength is commendable, the economy must also be strong. He praised Pakistan's youth, especially cyber experts, for delivering a strong blow to India during a recent cyber conflict. "Our young people shut down lights in stadiums, disrupted IPL matches, and even affected dams. Their skills surprised the world," he said. He added that the recent military operation Bunyanum Marsoos was a turning point, both strategically and for national morale. He said Pakistan's response to Indian attacks was firm and timely. "We struck back with full force," he said. Members of parliament have called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) to stop the Israeli war in Gaza and now in Iran. They said that the attack by Israel on Iran is an open terrorist act. They said that it is the need of the hour that all Muslim states should show their unity against Israeli aggression. (With additional input from News Desk)
