Babar Awan responsible for RPPs delay: SC

11/06/12 SC declared Babar Awan and Masood Chishti responsible for delay in rental power plant projects.

A three member bench headed by chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the case pertaining to the delay in Nandi Pur and Chichon Ki Malian power plant projects.

The Supreme Court sought a reply from Finance secretary and secretary for power and water and served notices to ex-law minister Babar Awan and ex-law secretary Masood Chisti.

Chief justice remarked that president begs for foreign support to resolve energy crisis but doesn’t take up the issue of such power projects in cabinet.

Holding Babar Awan responsible for the delay, Justice Jawad.S Khawaja said law minister and law secretary of that time didn’t approve the projects for more than a year.

Adding remarks, CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said a loss of Rs 113 billion was resulted due to the delay, adding that both projects were planned to be completed in 2011.

Highlighting masses woes, CJ lamented that the government should have approved the summary to provide relief to the people.

He asked the counsel for water and power ministry, Tariq Raheem, to submit a report on June 20 regarding the steps that are planned to be taken for the recovery of pending amount in both projects.

Supreme Court also said that ministry for water and power should appoint an officer at Karachi port for the inspection of heavy machinery and a report should also be submitted in the court regarding the condition of the machinery.

The case was adjourned till June 20.

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