The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday demanded a transparent probe into the contract of Mohmand Dam project, which had been won by a joint venture of Descon, owned by PM’s adviser Abul Razak Dawood, and a Chinese company.
“The award of Mohmand Dam contract to Descon-Pakistan belonging to Advisor Commerce is sheer conflict of interest, most unethical and tip of the iceberg of a monumental scandal that must be probed transparently,” said PPP’s ex-senator Farhatullab Babar in a statement.
Babar said that the PPP waited for two days hoping that credible explanation would be offered but the explanation offered had raised more serious questions.
“Since no credible explanation has been offered the party demands a transparent probe into the matter and till the probe is completed the adviser must step aside,” he said.
Babar demanded answers to the following questions:
“Is it correct that the offers made by other bidders were rejected on technical grounds leaving the field open for Descon-CGGC as sole bidder?” “Is it not mandatory to invite fresh bids after other bidders were disqualified? “Is it correct that the Joint venture Descon-CGGC submitted bids after last general elections?”
“How soon the financial bids of Descon Joint venture were opened after the other bidders were disqualified on technical grounds? Is it correct that PPRA rules do not allow acceptance of single bids and whether and what procedure adopted to bypass this requirement?”
He said that the explanation that Descon is holding only 30% share in the joint venture is laughable, audacious and offensive to common intelligence that amounts to criminal cover up.
He said that just two days ago the current and former speakers of KP Assembly were found guilty of misuse of authority in the appointment of a senior officer of the assembly.
“Recently, the cabinet directed CDA to amend the Master Plan of the capital for regularizing the Banigala residence of the prime minister and now this scandalous contract of Mohmand Dam has surfaced,” he said.
“The PPP will expose and chase the corrupt no matter how high their position and how low their character,” he added.
Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Saad Rafique said on Thursday that prime minister’s commerce adviser Abdul Razak Dawood should either leave his post or Mohmand Dam’s contract.
“Dawood is also the chairman of Descon (Design Engineering Services and Construction), which has been awarded the contract of Rs 309 billion Mohmand dam on a single bid basis.”
He said that when former prime minister Nawaz Sharif could be convicted due to his sons then why can’t Dawood? “The government’s behaviour suggests that it will not even complete two years,” he criticised.
“PPP and PML-N is not against the dams’ construction. But it should be seen that how many companies took part in the bidding process. Dawood should step back from either his post or the contract of dam.
The PML-N leader maintained that he and his brother were jailed without any evidence. “Sindh CM is being asked to resign over mere accusations. Same rules are applicable over the ruling party,” he asserted.
Published in Daily Times, January 4th 2019.
