Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar Monday hinted at imposing a special tax on mobile phone cards in order to raise funds for the construction of dams in the country.
While hearing a case regarding the construction of Mohmand and Diamer-Bhasha dams, the top judge asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman to tell the bench if a special tax could be imposed on mobile phone cards for the construction of dams. The court also asked the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to explain how the process for donating money could be made easier for the overseas Pakistanis.
The chief justice asked Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Muzzamil Hussain to submit a written plan for the construction of the dams. “WAPDA is not in contact with us … it thinks it will work as it pleases to. Supreme Court will supervise the construction of the dam, not the Ministry of Water Resources or WAPDA,” he observed. “Tell us when do you want to inaugurate the project and initiate work?”
The attorney general responded, “One dam will be built in 2027.” At this, the top judge remarked, “The prime minister said that Pakistan will run out of water by 2025. Is this your government where there is no coordination among institutions?” The attorney general then informed the court, “The total estimate of the dam is Rs 1,450 billion.” The chief justice asked, “Did the government ever think where the money for the construction of the dam will come from? We never said the dam can be built through funds but that a campaign will have to launch and it has. Today, a man gave a cheque of Rs 1 million. It is in my pocket.” “This is the passion with which work is done,” he added.
“The only work you people do is appearing on TV shows and give statements against each other. If there is any dispute over Diamer Bhasha Dam, the Supreme Court implementation bench will hear it … no other court of Pakistan can hear any dispute,” he added.
The WAPDA chairman said propaganda was being spread against the authority. At this, the chief justice told him not to worry about it.
When the chairman told the court that there was criticism on the contract for the dam being awarded on single-bid, the top judge responded that any individual who has an issue should bring it to them. “We will then look at all your rules,” he remarked, and told the WAPDA chairman to make a complete plan on when and which part of the dam would be constructed. He also asked the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit a reply regarding critique on the dams.
The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.
Earlier, the chief justice censured Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda for changing the date of Mohmand Dam’s groundbreaking ceremony and said the prime minister saw his own schedule and changed the date without considering that we have work as well.
Vawda appeared before the court as a bench headed by the chief justice heard a case pertaining to the Nai Gaj Dam. Expressing anger over the change in date of Mohmand Dam’s groundbreaking ceremony, the chief justice said, “You changed the date without informing us and did not even think it was appropriate to tell the top judge. The government does not even have the courtesy to ask the chief justice regarding changing the date, now I might not go to the groundbreaking ceremony.”
Justice Nisar then asked the federal minister, “What has the government done till now other than the announcement that water will finish by 2025? We are collecting funds for you.” In response, Vawda said, “I apologise to you on behalf of the government.” Expressing his displeasure, the chief justice said, “Now tell the prime minister to go and inaugurate Mohmand Dam himself.” At this, Vawda insisted, “No, you will have to be a part of it. We will invite you for the inauguration and I will request you to come.” Justice Nisar then remarked, “The prime minister does not know how many matters are pending.”
The top judge said that during the next hearing all four ministers should appear in court and inform it regarding what needs to be done about Nai Gaj Dam. “The matter has been pending since 2008. If you don’t want to construct this dam then tell us. We took up this case when there were incapable people in power, now the government has qualified and capable people.”
After the government assured that it will grant initial approval for the project by Thursday, the court adjourned the hearing till Friday.
Published in Daily Times, January 8th 2019.
