SC orders to constitute committee to probe Thar coal power project

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday has ordered to constitute a committee to conduct an audit of the Thar coal power project.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case regarding alleged corruption in the project.

During the proceedings, chairman of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project in Thar Dr Samar Mubarakmand told that the project began to receive funding from the federal government in 2012.

Despite spending Rs3.2 billion, the project was only able to produce 8MW of electricity by 2015, he added.

Meanwhile, the top judge directed to take steps on war footing for provision of food and water in Tharparkar. Utilize all the resources to check the mortality rate of infants in the district, he ordered.

The court also sought a detailed report from Sindh government on Thar situation in three weeks and adjourned the hearing. 

Earlier, SC had rejected Sindh government report on infants’ death in Tharparkar and ordered to dispatch truckloads of food and water for the drought-hit populace.

The top judge reprimanded Sindh government and served notices on Chief Secretary, health minister and Population Welfare Department.

He also directed the provincial government to submit recommendations for improvements of dismal situation of the hospitals.