Resumption of work on Gomal Zam Dam: Wapda refuses to share details with Senate panel

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) on Monday refused to brief a Senate standing committee about its efforts to convince a Chinese company for the resumption of Gomal Zam Dam construction in the NWFP. At a meeting here, Wapda Chairman Tariq Hameed informed the Senate's water and power panel that the Chinese company was being persuaded for the resumption of construction, but declined to share details. Tariq Hameed also dropped a hint that Wapda might be considering awarding the contract either to any other entity or Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), if the Chinese company refused to resume its operation, a source present in the meeting told Business Recorder.
The Chinese company undertaking the project suspended its operation late last year after the killing of one of its engineers by alleged al Qaeda-linked fugitive Abdullah Mahsud.
"The Wapda chairman neither told us at what stage their negotiations with the Chinese company were nor he informed us what would be the modalities, if the contract was awarded afresh," an opposition Senator said.
On March 8, Wapda sought a two-week time to let the committee know about the progress on the matter, but since then no information has been provided to the panel.
The opposition members of the committee during March 8 meeting doubted the government's 'sincerity' in efforts to convince the Chinese company.
The opposition Senators, most of them Baloch and Pushtoon nationalists, accused the government of using delaying tactics to level grounds for awarding the project to the FWO.
Tariq Hameed, however, promised to share the details of Wapda's parleys with the Chinese company within a couple of days, the source added.
Meanwhile, a statement issued here said that the committee had expressed concern over the irregularities in the award of contract by the Wapda for Mangla Dam Raising Project.