CJP requested to investigate corruption in Diamer-Bhasha dam’s compensation money

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ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly Captain (r) Muhammad Shafi Khan demanded of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar to constitute a Panamagate-like investigation committee to probe the alleged corruption in compensation to the owners of the land being acquired for Diamer-Bhasha dam.

Around Rs60 billion have so far been distributed among affectees of the dam while another Rs40 billion would be spent on the acquisition of land for the dam, which would produce 4500MW of electricity besides storage of water of Indus River. Corruption, embezzlement of money in the mega project’s land acquisition programme was reported earlier and affectees of the dam are frequently protesting against the injustices made to them.

In a statement, the opposition leader said that besides salary donated by the Pakistani armed forces and government employees, it would be positive to investigate, recover and deposit money looted during compensation to owners of the dam’s land. He said that the amount would help in the construction of the dam.

He said, “The CJP has taken a very positive step and I appreciate it. I appeal to him that he should also form an investigation committee on alleged corruption committed in compensation money.”

Muhammad Shafi Khan further said that the construction of the dams was inevitable for the survival of Pakistan, as it was facing acute water shortage. He also appreciated the initiative of the CJP and armed forces, adding that they have taken a historical decision.

Accusing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) regional government of massive corruption in development funds, he said that under the supervision of Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur, the regional government’s leaders and officers committed millions of rupees corruption in the compensation money. He alleged that the government is trying to deprive the owners of the compensation, which is their right.

He said that if the Supreme Court (SC) conducted a transparent investigation into the alleged corruption, dozens of the government’s leaders, including the chief minister, would land in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.

Earlier, the SC issued directives that the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams should start immediately, and appealed to the general public, including Pakistanis residing abroad, to donate for the cause.

CJP Nisar initiated the donation process by announcing Rs1 million for the cause during the hearing of the case pertaining to the construction of Kalabagh Dam.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Asif Ghafoor said that officers of the Pakistan Armed Forces will contribute to the fund announced for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

Similarly, officers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Tuesday announced to contribute their three-day salary to the fund.