A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, hearing the progress of the dams, complained that the chairman Wapda has not contacted them about the development on dams' project. "We have made the commitment with people and not with Wapda or Ministry of Water," he said.
The bench directed the chairman Federal Bureau of Revenue to appear before the court and inform it whether withholding charges on mobile cards and the money generated through levying tax on water bottling and the beverage companies could be used as donations for Dams Fund.
The court said that disputes related to the dams should be brought only before the apex court. "We would not allow anyone to create hindrance in the construction of dams."
The chairman PEMRA was ordered to appear before the court regarding a malicious campaign against chairman Wapda. "We would see whether such campaigns are in accordance with the law of the land," the Chief Justice said.
Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan earlier told the bench that a meeting was held on the construction of Babu Sir Top Tunnel. He said that mobilisation on Diamer-Bhasha Dam will start in June 2019 and the conclusion date is September 2027. He said that Rs 1 billion per kilometre will be spent on the Babu Sir Tunnel.
Chairman Wapda Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (retd) briefed the bench about the steps taken right from the concept of establishing the dams, which also include the financial aspects and the timeframe for their completion. The Chief Justice directed him to file the assertions made in the verbal presentation in the form of an undertaking.
The work on Mohammad Dam project will start in mid-March 2019 and it will be completed in September 2023. It will cost Rs 310 billion. He said the federal government has vowed to provide Rs 17 billion every year over the next six years, while 63% funds would be arranged through Wapda equity. "We have also planned to issue Sukuk and other bonds."
The Chief Justice questioned what would be the price of bonds and when and how they would be issued. The Chief Justice also questioned about the foreign guarantee.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan proposed that Wapda should associate financial experts that can talk to banks and international donors for arranging money. Ideally, the consultant would be the bank, he said.
Lt Gen Muzammil (retd) said that the only issue they are facing is malicious and insidious campaign against them launched on the TV and print media. He said that no contract of dams' project has been given on a single bidding.
The bench told him that there is no need to be frightened by any media campaign and propaganda. The Chief Justice said that the dams' related issues will be brought before the Supreme Court as they wanted to monitor this project. Justice Ijaz said when these issues would come before them only then will they see them.
Governor State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa said that within Pakistan bank charges on the donations for the Dams funds have been abolished, but the SBP can't abolish the charges of foreign banks for people who are abroad and send money through those banks.
The Chief Justice said they are considering withdrawing the withholding tax on the mobile phone cards and load charging, as it would generate Rs 3 billion per month and Rs 36 billion a year. He said that it is estimated that Rs 10 billion could also be generated through levying tax on bottling and beverage companies.