ISLAMABAD: A World Bank delegation called on the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Raghib Shah at WAPDA House on Wednesday to discuss ways and means to enhance mutual cooperation for water and hydropower projects.
The delegation was headed by South Asia Region Sector Manager, Environment and Water Resources Unit, Herbert Acquay. WAPDA Member (Power) Muhammad Qasim Khan, Secretary Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar and the senior officers concerned were also present on the occasion.
In addition to focusing the second phase of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Group - an ongoing dialogue on water cooperation among seven countries namely Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and India - the WAPDA schemes under the World Bank-funded Water Sector Capacity Building and Advisory Services Project (WCAP) and the 1410 megawatt-Tarbela 4th Extension Project were also discussed in details during the meeting.
Referring to the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Group, the Chairman said that WAPDA is devising a project pertaining to monitoring glaciers through remote sensors. After consulting all the stakeholders and with prior approval of the Government of Pakistan, the project will be put forth in the Abu Dhabi Group Dialogue meeting scheduled to be held in December at Bangkok for approval, he added.
Underlining the need to accelerate the process of cooperation, he expressed the hope that Pakistan will be properly taken care of for technical and financial assistance during the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Group second phase which will last till 2016.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman thanked the World Bank for supporting WAPDA in many a projects. He apprised the delegation that contracts for construction of Tarbela 4th Extension Project will be awarded in early 2013, as pre-qualification process of the firms is being finalized for the purpose.
The delegation head Herbert Acquay appreciated WAPDA for efficient implementation of its projects under WCAP. Responding to the request for additional funds, he promised to look into the matter sympathetically and get back after consulting the request with the World Bank.
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