Senate panel calls for probe into foreign-funded power projects

Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division has unanimously decided to escalate concerns over alleged corruption in foreign-funded power projects directly to the prime minister. The committee also resolved to formally request the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to conduct thorough investigations into the matter.

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The committee should first determine whether it had the authority to proceed, adding that if it lacked jurisdiction, there would be no purpose in continuing the meeting.

The decision came after the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) appeared to express its inability to initiate inquiries into projects managed by other ministries. Senators voiced strong displeasure over a letter from an EAD section officer that questioned the committee's authority to investigate. Senator Kamran Murtaza emphasized the need for the committee to first confirm its jurisdiction before proceeding.

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The letter reflected an adversarial approach towards parliamentary oversight and expressed concern that such actions could undermine the committee’s efforts to ensure transparency, accountability and pro­per utilisation of foreign-funded resources.

Senator Kamil Ali Agha characterized the EAD's letter as an effort to create confusion and divert attention from significant irregularities and potential corruption identified in various foreign-funded projects. He argued that such actions undermine parliamentary oversight and the committee's role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the utilization of foreign resources.

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However, he said, there was no element of disrespect towards parliament in the letter and that Senate recommendations had always been implemented.

EAD Secretary Humair Karim accepted responsibility for the letter, stating it was issued after seeking legal opinion on the procedure for the EAD to write to the FIA and NAB regarding matters involving the Power Division. He acknowledged that the letter's wording could have been more sensitive, but maintained there was no disrespect intended towards parliament. Chairman Senator Saifullah Abro questioned the secretary's satisfaction with the letter's content, highlighting the tension between the EAD's stance and the committee's perceived mandate.

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He also acknowledged that the wording of the letter could have been drafted with greater care and sensitivity.