ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division (EAD) headed by Senator Saif Ullah Abro has summoned both former and current officials of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) to provide complete details about the Dasu 765 kV Transmission Line, which is being funded by the World Bank.
In a letter to EAD Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz, Bushra Rafique Dahar, Secretary of the Standing Committee, noted that on September 23, 2024, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the information provided by officials from the State Bank of Pakistan regarding compliance with recommendations made in previous meetings. The Committee observed that the relevant departments have failed to furnish the necessary information over the past four meetings.
The letter states that the Committee has begun examining all ongoing and completed projects (both loans and grants) under multilateral and bilateral development partners and UN agencies. The Committee emphasized that EAD, as the crucial executive body involved in the external licensing of these projects, must actively exercise its authority in loan disbursement.
According to the Secretary, the Committee has not received briefing materials related to agenda items from relevant departments in a timely manner. Consequently, the Committee was unable to examine the issues in detail and formulate effective recommendations. Therefore, the Committee has advised that the Economic Affairs Division ensure the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), along with former Project Directors and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NTDC. They are required to attend the Committee meeting scheduled for October 2, 2024, along with all correspondence with the World Bank regarding the Dasu Hydropower Project’s 765 kV Transmission Line.
