Water project components' contract cancelled
The Punjab government's project steering committee has cancelled a contract worth Rs20.4 billion awarded to a foreign firm for Lots 2 and 3 of the Chahan Dam Water Supply project and has ordered a fresh tendering process following a fact-finding investigation by the Chief Minister's Inspection Team (CMIT).
The Asian Development Bank-funded project had originally been awarded to a Turkish firm, Five-H Insaat, despite the successful joint venture bid having also included a Pakistani company, Qasim & Co. The steering committee questioned how the contract was awarded solely to the foreign firm when the bid was won as a joint venture.
CMIT's intervention, prompted by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is being credited for preventing a potential financial scandal.
A high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Planning and Development Board Chairman Barrister Nabeel Awan, and attended by all relevant secretaries, their representatives, and Hamza Salik, Project Director of the "Dream Project," reviewed CMIT's findings before deciding to cancel the contract.
The committee also decided that necessary action against the officials responsible for the contract award would be taken by the chief secretary.
Additionally, in line with the Chief Minister's directive, all future foreign-funded projects will be reviewed by the steering committee every three months to ensure transparency.
The contract in question had sparked legal action from Qasim & Co., who challenged the exclusion in court.
After the matter was brought to the chief minister's notice, she instructed CMIT to conduct a fact-finding inquiry and submit a report within seven days.
The CMIT investigation, led by Chairman Salman Ejaz along with members Ahsan Waheed, Ghulam Abbas Warraich, and an engineering specialist, found significant flaws in the procurement process, including the absence of regular quarterly reviews despite the project being foreign-funded.
Now, under the guidance of the Chairman of the Planning and Development Wing Punjab, the Steering Committee of Dream Project-1 will decide within three weeks whether to reinstate or fully terminate the contract. If cancelled, the contract will be retendered. For context, Lot 1 of the Dream Project-1bringing 12 million gallons of water daily from Chahan Damhad previously been awarded for Rs6.36 billion to a joint venture between China Construction Third Engineering and a Pakistani partner.
Meanwhile, Lot 4, worth Rs7.19 billion, was awarded to a joint venture of MS Mirakhan KBDL and Five-H Insaat.
Lot 4 covers the upgrade of filtration plants, pumping stations, and old pipelines at Rawal and Khanpur dams to ensure 24/7 water supply to the Khayaban-e-Sir Syed area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
President Zardari, PM Shehbaz felicitate nation on Eid-ul-Adha
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended on Saturday heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation and the Muslim Ummah around the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. The day dawned with special prayers in mosques for well-being of the Muslim Ummah and peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Eid prayers' congregations were held at mosques, Eidgahs and open places in all cities, towns and villages across the country. In his message, the president that the day revives in 'us the spirit of faith, sacrifice, selflessness, and brotherhood', as per Radio Pakistan. The president called for drawing lessons from the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness shown by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and integrating them into our lives. 'Today, there is a pressing need to support the underprivileged and marginalized segments of our society. Along with the act of animal sacrifice, Eid calls upon us to make a solemn pledge to always care for those in need,' President Zardari said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the message of Eid-ul-Adha is not limited to the sacrifice of animals alone, but teaches us to sacrifice our ego, desires, and personal interests for higher purposes. Eid teaches us not only the importance of sacrificing life and wealth but also that nations achieve greatness when they work for collective welfare and selflessness alongside individual development, the PM said. 'Today, we must especially remember our Palestinian brothers and sisters who are enduring ruthless and inhumane oppression and hunger.' Sindh govt announces four holidays on Eid-ul-Adha Moreover, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff also extended their profound felicitations to the people of Pakistan. 'Armed Forces of Pakistan convey their earnest prayers for enduring peace, prosperity, and national cohesion,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release today. 'We pay solemn tribute to the unwavering resilience of the Pakistani nation and express deep appreciation for the valour and sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and courageous citizens who continue to uphold the security and stability of our homeland.'
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Trump says proud of stopping Pak-India war
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures, as he departs for Pennsylvania, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 30, 2025. Photo:REUTER Listen to article US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan's leadership during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House on Thursday, repeating his stance that he saved the world from a major crisis by preventing a war between the nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. The US-German summit at the Trump's Oval Office was the first since Merz's election as the German Chancellor on May 6. Their talks covered a range of topics, including the wars in Europe, South Asia and the Middle East, besides the US-China trade issue and bilateral matters, according to media reports. During the meeting Trump insisted that the reduction in tension was possible because of his efforts and cooperation with the leaders of India and Pakistan. He praised the Indian and Pakistani leaderships and stressed that in the event of a nuclear conflict, the entire world could have been in danger. Taking pride in his role as the peacemaker, Trump regretted that he did not get the recognition he deserved for this important diplomatic achievement. "No one else could have done it," he said, referring to the ceasefire he had announced on May 10, and later confirmed by both the countries. Tensions between India and Pakistan reached a boiling point after an attack in the Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22, which killed 26 people. India swiftly blamed Pakistan, but did not present any evidence. However, the situation escalated as missile strikes and air raids rocked both nations, resulting in dozens of casualties between May 7 and 10. Trump said his diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation involved intense talks with both sides. "Pakistan has very strong leadership. Some people won't like when I say that, but it is what it is," Trump said. "I spoke to very talented people on both sides," he added. "They stopped that war. I was very proud of that."
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
US fund commits $10m to Pakistani startups
Listen to article A US tech fund has committed $10 million to two Pakistani IT entrepreneurs and IT experts have praised this move as it looks promising for the future. Tech analyst and expert Muhammad Yasir said that Pakistani IT firms are penetrating different traditional and non-traditional markets with their innovative products and services, which is a positive sign. Attracting investments from US-based companies will not only boost business growth and expansion of Pakistani IT companies but it will also improve the image of the country in the relevant sector, opening doors for other companies in high-end markets such as the US and EU. Pakistani IT companies need to reach more similar investors and venture capitalists in major traditional markets like the US, EU and non-traditional markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia to expedite the overall growth of Pakistani IT exports and expansion. JR Dallas Tech Fund, the premier private investment arm of JR Dallas Wealth Management, announced a groundbreaking $10 million commitment to globally recognised technology leaders Mehwish Salman Ali and Malik Mudassir to spearhead an exclusive US-focused startup investment initiative. Under this landmark agreement, Mehwish Salman Ali and Malik Mudassir will receive $10 million in dedicated capital to identify, evaluate, and invest in high-potential startups planning to scale operations in the US. The duo will serve as lead investment partners with full authority to deploy capital across artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital health, and frontier technology ventures. "We are entrusting $10 million to two of the most visionary technology leaders of our generation," said Jehangir A Raja, Managing Partner at JR Dallas Tech Fund. "Mehwish and Malik represent the perfect combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial success, and strategic vision needed to identify the next generation of game-changing startups ready to conquer the American market." This $10 million commitment specifically targets startups with proven capabilities seeking to establish or expand operations within the US, creating a direct pathway for international innovation to contribute to American economic growth. The investment is likely to generate positive economic impacts as these companies are expected to generate 300-500 high-skilled technology positions within 24 months. Portfolio companies are projected to contribute $50-100 million in US economic activity within three years and accelerate breakthrough technologies in AI, healthcare, and cloud infrastructure. Mehwish Salman Ali brings unparalleled expertise as Founder & CEO of Data Vault, Pakistan's first solar-powered and quantum-encrypted AI data centre, Co-Founder of Zahanat AI, the country's first indigenous GPT model, and COO of AppsGenii Technologies. Malik Mudassir commands respect as Founder & CEO of AppsGenii Technologies, operating across the US, UK, and Pakistan, and Co-Founder of multiple successful ventures including GharPar, BoxesGen, and Dental Connect. The $10 million fund operates under a rigorous investment framework designed to maximise both financial returns and economic impact: "Receiving this $10 million commitment from JR Dallas Tech Fund represents more than capital; it's a mandate to bridge the gap between global innovation and American market opportunity," said Mehwish Salman Ali. "We are committed to identifying startups that not only promise exceptional returns but also contribute meaningfully to US technological leadership." Malik Mudassir added, "This $10 million investment enables us to support visionary entrepreneurs who understand that scaling in America requires more than great technology it demands deep market insight, operational excellence, and strategic partnership. We're here to provide all three."
