The minister also discussed legal issues with the Minister of Law and Justice and the Attorney General of Pakistan to lay a strong legal foundation against those responsible for the tunnel collapse, a press release said.
In addition, the Minister emphasized the internal accountability process regarding mismanagement of the project by WAPDA.
During the meeting, officials briefed the minister on the technical issues of the project, noting that although some problems had been identified, accountability was still under investigation.
Ahsan Iqbal expressed serious concerns about the delay, highlighting that it hampered timely investigations and accountability. “From the beginning, an accountability mechanism should have been put in place to monitor progress and assign responsibilities, especially for a project of this size,” he noted.
The Minister directed that two investigation approaches be followed, including hiring an international consultant, and accelerating the completion of the ongoing work, adding that all major projects such as the Diamerpasa Dam must be free from mismanagement of the project.
He stressed the need for independent verification of the functioning of NESPAK by international experts to avoid similar recurring problems in the future, and stated that reform of NESPAK should be undertaken as a priority.
Referring to the history of the Neelum Jhelum project, Ahsan Iqbal criticized the decision to launch the project without ensuring its financial closure in 2007. “The project has been rushed, without proper planning, jeopardizing the long-term viability of this important national project,” he said. .
The meeting concluded with directions to speed up the investigation process and improve competencies.
The minister suggested involving international experts as part of the investigation team led by Shahid Khan to ensure transparency and accountability.
He recommended that the consultant and contractor be given an opportunity to respond to the findings, ensuring that neither party could claim that it had not been given the opportunity to explain its position. The minister stressed that “the public has the right to know who is responsible for the delay and financial losses of such an important project.”
The meeting was attended by Attorney General of Pakistan, Minister of Law and Justice, Minister of Planning and Development, Minister of Water Resources, former Federal Secretary Shahid Khan, Member for Infrastructure, Member for Energy, and senior officials from the relevant ministries.