Country's expenditures should be reduced to deal financial issues: CJP
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ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Supreme Court Umar Ata Bandial remarked there was concern over financial difficulties and steps should be taken to reduce expenditure.
Hearing case regarding execution of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams, CJP remarked that all records of donors of dams fund are available on website of Supreme Court.
They would tell people which machinery was bought with their funds, he said, adding that they would ensure that money of dams fund wouldn't be spent on restoration of flood damages. Chief Justice remarked that transmission lines were very important for projects.
A five member larger bench of the top court headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial heard the case. During hearing, Council of State Bank told court that total sum of ten billion rupees collected under Dam fund would increase to Rs 17 billion this month due to investment under government securities. No one has ever withdrawn money and there was more than Rs 16 billion in dams fund at moment, he added. He said money that came was used to be invested under government securities and amount obtained from investment was reinvested in T-bills through National Bank.
Secretary Water and Power told court that instructions had been given to release 2.4 billion for installation of transmission lines for Dam. Current circular debt in country was 2.6 trillion rupees and more increase in it was also expected, he added. He informed bench that more than 90 percent of electricity was being stolen at some grid stations. WAPDA's lawyer told court that power division had to pay 240 billion in line with CPPA. Work of dams project was being affected due to non-payment to contractors, he said. Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan instructed secretary water and power to make sure that there was no effect on dam project due to this entire process. Supreme Court directed Auditor General of Pakistan to review all records of SC dam funds with coordination of SBP. Hearing of case was adjourned for an indefinite period.
Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 13 2023
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