Nai Gaj dam: SC summons Omar Ayub Khan

Khudayar Mohla
Expressing dissatisfaction over recent move of federal government as Central Development Working Party has recommended Nai Gaj dam scheme for final approval of Executive Committee of National Economic Council, the Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar summoned Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan and two federal secretaries on January 15.
Earlier the Supreme Court has asked federal government to submit details of the delayed Nai Gaj dam project in response to information that Sindh government was reluctant to undertake construction of the dam due to some reasons.
However, a day before the end of the Supreme Court’s deadline, the federal government cleared the Nai Gaj dam project on January 10 without reaching decision on its actual revised cost and source of financing for the project that is facing significant delays.
On January 10, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) recommended the Nai Gaj dam scheme for final approval of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec).
Appearing before a two-member bench of the Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday, Deputy Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhati apprised the court about CDWP recommendation of the project to the Ecnec.
To which Chief Justice observed in this way the matter would be stuck in the Ecnec, adding he wished the project approval would have completed during his tenure but at the same time he expressed that some wishes remain unfinished.
Later, the bench asked Attorney General office to submit copy of the CDWP meeting minutes till January 14 and summoned Omar Ayub Khan, Cabinet Secretary Fazal Abbas Maken and Federal Secretary Irfan Ali on January 15.