SC mandates NAB with audit of Thar coal power project

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court has ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to probe into the Thar coal power project along with its forensic audit.

A three-member special bench of the top court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case regarding alleged corruption in the project.

Prominent scientist and chairman of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project in Thar Dr Samar Mubarakmand appeared before the court where the Sindh chief secretary was directed to seize the project’s belongings.

“No corruption was committed in this project,” the Chief Justice remarked.

However, court adviser Salman Akram Raja informed the bench that the project’s feasibility report was not clear and it was said that 10,000MW will be produced for 30 years but according to experts the project will lower underground water reserves and affect the environment.

“One committee has said that this is a failed project and more funds should not be allocated for it. Those who approved Mubarakmand’s project should have also looked into it,” Raja added.

During the proceedings, Justice Nisar said that the hefty amount of Rs4 billion was distributed on the claim of one scientist, adding that Pakistan cannot bear this much loss, directing the auditor general to conduct a forensic audit of the project and submit a report within 15 days.

NAB prosecutor Asghar Haider then submitted a report regarding the projects before the bench.

Justice Nisar further questioned the court adviser, “Where did Dr Mubarakmand’s tall claims go? Should this matter not be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) or should a fresh investigation be initiated?”

“A 100MW project is not even generating 3MW of electricity,” remarked Justice Nisar

On the occasion, the court advisers Raja and Shehzad Elahi also submitted their recommendations following which the chief justice asked about the positions of the federal and Sindh governments.

The advocate general Sindh then informed the court that the project was entirely funded by the federal government and only the land was owned by the Sindh government.

Mubarakmand refuted the recommendation presented to the court by the lawyers and said that Elahi and Raja have no expertise in the case.

The top court also instructed the chief secretary of the province to confiscate the assets of the project and also furnish pictures of the machinery employed at the project site.