ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division (EAD) has directed that the case involving officials of the National Grid Company (NGC), formerly NTDC, in the alleged wrongful awarding of a contract to M/s Newage Cables (Pvt) Ltd be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further inquiry.
According to sources, the Committee, chaired by Senator Saif Ullah Abro, in its recent meeting, instructed the EAD and its affiliated agency (NESPAK) to submit all official correspondence exchanged with M/s Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology (ZTT), China. This includes a copy of the letter and communication regarding the power of attorney submitted by ZTT.
The EAD has also been asked to seek records and communication with the Consulate General of Pakistan related to ZTT’s submission of the power of attorney and provide an explanation on the matter. The committee noted that failure to obtain the attested document resulted in a project cost increase of approximately Rs 500 million.
In addition, the EAD and NESPAK have been directed to furnish a copy of the inquiry report prepared by the three-member committee led by Muhammad Ali, former caretaker Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), regarding the ADB-401B-2022 Lot-II A tender.
The Committee also demanded that NTDC provide invoices from local manufacturers, including pricing details—such as the cost of a single wooden reel reportedly quoted at Rs 190,000—and a breakdown of the Rs 905 million claimed as local manufacturing. Furthermore, testing reports for the materials imported by M/s Newage Cables Pvt Ltd must be submitted, along with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for testing as defined in the tender documents.
The Committee stressed that all officials found involved in misconduct must be held accountable, and financial losses exceeding Rs 500 million should be recovered from the responsible parties.
Finally, NGC has been instructed to submit the approved minutes of the 282nd Board meeting held on November 26, 2024, and provide bid submission documents for the ADB-401B-2022 LOT II A (ACSR Bunting Conductor) project at the next meeting.
