Capacity building project: Ministry raises objections on PC-1

Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms has raised objections on the PC-1 of the project titled Capacity Building of the Office of Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW) at a cost of Rs 635.4 million. According to sources, PC-1 documents offer a short-term solution ie of hiring local experts who may leave the organisation after their contract is completed.
The related technical experts like water manager, water and agriculture engineers, technical staff and diplomats to deal with the issues of water at international level are not included in PC-1 of the project. A high official in Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters told Business Recorder on condition of anonymity that 12 permanent employees have been appointed in Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters in eight years but they had to quit the organisation due to low salaries and lack of housing facilities. Capacity building of the organisation, he argued, could be increased by training staff, constructing buildings for the department, increasing salaries of the employees and appointing high officials, engineers and technical staff on permanent basis. He said the major challenge for PCIW Office is lack of capacity and sufficient technical personnel.
The official said that Punjab government is ready to give 10 kanal free land to the Organization for construction of buildings but the commissioner has not taken notice of the offer yet.
When contacted, Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters Mirza Asif Baig claimed that all aspects have been covered in a comprehensive PC-1 documents. He said that some people do not appreciate good work. He admitted that the employees at high posts have left the Organization due to low salaries and lack of facilities; but added that matters relating to an improved salary structure for the staff and technical experts have been mentioned in PC-1 documents.
Answering a question, he said he has initiated land acquisition process with Punjab government but this is very slow. When asked whether he had plans to set up a local consultancy after retirement, he said it is always the prerogative of the government to hire local consultants or international consultants. According to PC-1 documents available with Business Recorder, the challenge of implementation of the treaty for safeguarding Pakistan''s legitimate interests is the responsibility of PCIW, which is operating with depleted strength and is in dire need of capacity building.
The main objective of the project in question is to safeguard Pakistan''s rights on river waters flowing from India and Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and for this purpose enhancing the capacity of the office of PCIW is critical, the PC-I says. The PC-1 further says that the project would be implemented by hiring local consultants who would involve international experts through joint ventures, associations or sub-contracts. A team leader who would be an international expert would lead the project team. A deputy team leader from Pakistan would assist the team leader.