NAB to investigate the project, report to PHC by Sept 5
The Peshawar High Court PHC has questioned transparency in the matters of the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project and asked the National Accountability Bureau to look into delays, cost escalation, and award of the contract.
On the bench, Justic Waqar Ahmad Seth and Justice Mussarat Hilali have ordered to complete the inquiry and submit a report by Sept 5.
The bench heard the arguments at great length and feel it appropriate to refer the matter to the NAB authorities for conducting proper investigation/inquiry as 50 % scope of the work has been enhanced and the project exceeded completion dates which were 21st/ 24th June 2018.
The project was initially approved with the cost of Rs49.3 billion and revised PC-I was moved with Rs67.9 billion.
The bench observed: `We have been informed that the contract has been given to a firm, which was blacklisted in the same type of work by another province, under mala fide intention. We have also been informed that from different necessary project schemes, the amount has been allocated for this project without considering the fact that the other projects were also necessary and important for a public purpose.’
The court found the delay, the contract awarding process, feasibility and all the issues relating to the project of Peshawar Sustainable Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Project (BRT) are all shady and shaky. Thus, the NAB authorities were directed to conduct proper investigation/inquiry transparency of the project and submit its report before the next date.
One petition was filed jointly by former provincial minister Amanullah Haqqani and citizen Wali Khan and the other by an environmentalist Abid Zareef.
Later, the PDA However announced that it would challenge the high court’s NAB inquiry order in the Supreme Court as the BRT contract was awarded by the company approved by the Asian Development Bank in accordance with the law as declared by the high court.
In a statement issued here, the PDA claimed that the project contractor was considered to be a pioneer in the start of metro bus services in the country.
It added that the decision to blacklist the contractor by the Lahore Development Authority had already been set aside by the Lahore High Court.
The PDA said the authorities of the project had already been cooperating with the NAB and had provided it all the relevant record. The delay in completion of the project, it is added, was because of changes in the design at several places due to which the cost of the project had also enhanced.
