Latest news with #Neelum-JhelumHydropowerProject
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt sets up probe into NJHP tunnel collapse
Listen to article Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted an inquiry commission to take legal action against those responsible for the collapse of the tunnel at the Rs500 billion Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP). Speaking at a press conference, Iqbal said the commission, headed by a retired judge, was formed on the basis of findings from two separate committees. He added that the commission will hear those involved before initiating legal proceedings. According to the terms of reference (ToRs), the commission will recommend legal, administrative, and financial actions against those responsible. It will categorise accountability as gross negligence, procedural misconduct, or potential criminal liability as the case may be, reads a notification. Iqbal termed the failure of the NJHP an "expensive and glaring mistake". He said that the restoration of the 969 megawatts project that is closed since May last year, was still not in sight as the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) had not yet submitted the PC-I for the revival. In May this year, Water Resources Minister Muhammad Moeen had informed the National Assembly that the restoration process of the NJHRP was expected to take an additional two years to complete. A few months ago, Wapda had proposed to the government that either the tunnel should be rebuilt with an estimated cost of Rs250-300 billion or it should be repaired by spending around Rs20 billion. The government had also engaged an international panel of experts (IPOE) to investigate the structural issues affecting the project's Head Race Tunnel (HRT). The panel was tasked with identifying the causes of recent challenges. The report highlighted areas of the tunnel floor that required attention, alongside recommendations for enhanced ventilation, lighting, and worker safety measures. In May this year, the federal cabinet approved to setup a commission of inquiry under the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act 2017, to investigate the NJHP. Justice (retd) Tariq Abbasi is the chairman of the inquiry commission, which has time till August 20 to finalise its report, according to the notification. Other members include Shahid Khan and the secretaries of Establishment Division, Water Resources Division and the Engineer-in-Chief of Pak Army. The ToRs of the commission entail a sequential analysis of all key decisions in planning, design, execution, and monitoring; establishing clear accountability for omissions, delays, and misjudgements that led to the tunnel collapse. The commission has been tasked to verify compliance with engineering standards, project management protocols, and directives from Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) and the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and other regulatory bodies. It is required to identify the responsible individuals and determine whether failures in geological assessments, tunnel lining, and water pressure management resulted from negligence, incompetence, or deliberate misconduct, linking specific lapses to responsible officials. The commission is assessing the role of oversight bodies, consultants, and contractors to identify failures in risk mitigation, contractual obligations, or misleading assurances, and fixing responsibility accordingly. At the press conference, Iqbal also spoke about the prevailing economic conditions and the achievements of this government in the past one year. He said that the government successfully brought inflation down to an average of 4.5% — the lowest since 2016. "Effective fiscal consolidation and external sector stability underscore Pakistan's stronger-than-expected recovery trajectory, he said, adding that the economic performance reflected prudent economic management and signals growing confidence in Pakistan's ability to navigate external shocks and sustain a path towards stability and inclusive growth. To a question about the government's inability to meet investment targets, the minister said that the investors were worried about Pakistan's macroeconomic stability and judicial challenges. He added that after bringing political and economic stability and making constitutional changes through the 26th amendment, the investors' confidence has been restored. He expressed the hope that the foreign investment would start picking up from this fiscal year. Pakistan's macroeconomic performance in FY2025 demonstrated resilience despite global headwinds, with GDP growth rising to 2.7% and inflation dropping sharply to an average of 4.5%, reads the development update report that the Planning Ministry released on Thursday. It added that the government's strategic focus on high-impact, inclusive, and export-led projects under the PSDP aligns with "Uraan Pakistan" priorities, emphasising exports, digitalisation, green growth, energy security, and social equity.
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NJHP repair to take two more years
Neelum-Jhelum is a unique project as it is 90% underground and 10% above the ground and requires the building of an extensive tunnel system under a huge mountain. PHOTO: FILE Restoration work at the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHPC) would take two more years to complete, Water Resources Minister Muhammad Moeen told the National Assembly on Friday, as a committee investigating the issues was expected to finalise its report soon. Speaking during the Question Hour, the minister said that the main contract for carrying out the repair work on the project - which was shut in May 2024 - had not yet been awarded in accordance with the government's instructions. So far, Rs6.6 billion was spent to repair the project's Tail Race Tunnel (TRT). After the TRT was fixed, the plant resumed full operations in March 2024, generating 969 megawatts of electricity. However, the plant had to be shut down again two months later due to issues in Head Race Tunnel (HRT)," he said. He said that the project is currently working under a provisional tariff on a 'take-and-pay' basis. There are no fixed payments or returns on investment. The company is managing its expenses through its own resources and pending payments from power sales to the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G)." According to the National Power Control Centre (NPCC), the minister stated, the country has enough power generation to meet demand, and no load-shedding is being done due to shortages. He added that local electricity supply had not been affected by the shutdown. The minister informed the house that the project's consultants had been told to review and improve maintenance procedures to avoid such issues in the future. He stressed the importance of operating and maintaining the plant as per equipment manufacturer's guidelines to prevent unexpected closures.
Business Recorder
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Indian strike: Wapda chief assesses NJHP dam structure damage
ISLAMABAD: In the wake of brutal attack by India on dam structure of 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, Wapda Chairman Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) visited the dam site located at Nauseri near the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The visit was aimed at observing and assessing the damage done to the structures, installations and staff residential camp besides boosting the morale of Wapda officers and officials performing their duties at the Dam site. The project is non-operational since last year due to damage to the tunnel and work was in progress on its rehabilitation. Acting Member Power Wapda and CEO Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company Muhammad Arfan Miana, Chief Engineer/PD Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project and Chief Engineer (Operation and Maintenance) were also present on the occasion. 46 injured: 31 innocent civilians martyred in Indian strikes: ISPR During the detailed visit of the Dam, De-sanders and Intake, the Chairman was apprised that the Indian shelling started at 1:15 a.m. on May 7, and continued for about six hours till 7:15 a.m. Consequently, hydraulic power unit 1 of intake gates was damaged in addition to reinforcement concrete structure at De-sander 1 and 3. Residential camp was also targeted including ambulance and medical facility. The Chairman was also briefed about the efforts made by the WAPDA officials for securing the critical equipment installed at the dam structure and the control room. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman strongly condemned the Indian attack on Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, adding that international laws including protocol additional to the Geneva Convention 12 August 1949 do not allow an attack on water structures even during full-scale war between two states. He also appreciated the courage and devotion of the WAPDA officers and officials in line of their duties. Talking to media, Chairman Wapda stated India's strike targeted not just the dam's structure but extended ominously to the civilian neighborhoods nestled around it. It wasn't merely about disrupting power; it was an assault on safety, a gamble with catastrophe. 'The Neelum-Jhelum project holds a vast reservoir—an essential reserve for our energy needs. Damaging it could have triggered devastating floods, widespread power outages, and mass casualties,' he said. As engineers in hard hats and military personnel assessed the impact, Wapda's technical teams worked around the clock to inspect tunnels, turbines, and walls for signs of structural compromise. Despite the severity of the attack, a sliver of relief came from the fact that no lives were lost. 'It could have been much worse,' the chairman admitted. 'A breach in the reservoir might've drowned entire villages.' The Indian strike, he asserted, was not just a military act—it was a violation of international humanitarian law. 'Targeting civilians near a power facility violates every ethical and legal norm. This wasn't a misfire. It was deliberate,' he said with conviction. Although no foreign engineers were on site at the time, and WAPDA's role remains confined to generation—not grid operations—concerns over broader vulnerabilities loomed large. As he concluded his statement, the chairman praised Pakistan's armed forces for their rapid and resolute response. 'They acted swiftly to secure the area and prevent further escalation. But this aggression cannot go unanswered on the global stage,' he warned. 'Targeting critical civilian infrastructure isn't just an attack on Pakistan. It threatens the fragile balance of our region.' Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project was completed in 2018 on River Neelum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Project comprises of three main components - a dam at Nauseri, an underground Waterway System consisting of 52-Km long tunnels and an underground Power House at Chattar Kalas. After its completion, the project contributed 19.562 billion units of green and clean electricity to the National Grid. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Mint
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Fake News Alert! India rejects 'fidayeen attack' reports on Army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir
The Fact Check unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Thursday night debunked several news inputs doing the rounds on social media, one of them claiming that an Army brigade was under a "fidayeen" attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri sector. "#Fake_news is circulating about a "fidayeen" attack on an Army brigade in #Rajouri, #Jammu and #Kashmir… No such #fidayeen or suicide attack has occurred on any army cantt," the PIB Fact Check Unit said in a post on X. It also advised social media users to not believe 'propaganda being spread by Pakistani handles' and instead rely only on official information. Pakistan on Thursday evening attempted to target Jammu airport, prompting total blackout in Jammu and several other cities in northern India, an ANI report said. In another post, PIB's Fact Check Unit released a WhatsApp number and an email id for social media users to report dubious content concerning the Indian Armed Forces. 'In the coming days your social media will be flooded with #Pakistan sponsored propaganda. It's crucial to scrutinize every piece of information carefully. If you encounter dubious content, especially concerning the Indian Armed Forces or any info related to ongoing situation, report it to #PIBFactCheck,' PIB wrote. Users shared a video claiming to be of Pakistan's missile attack on India in retaliation to Operation Sindoor. The video however is of the explosion that took place in Beirut in 2020. The unit, in a post on X shared, 'An #old video is being shared on #SocialMedia with the claim that #Pakistan has launched a missile attack on India in retaliation… The video being shared is of the explosive attack that took place in Beirut, Lebanon in the year 2020…' Social media posts claiming that entry to airports across India has been banned as completely false. The government has taken no such decision, it said. The PIB has also junked a letter being shared on social media claiming that 'Chief of the Army Staff General VK Narayan' has sent a confidential letter regarding military preparedness to the Army officer of Northern Command. 'This letter is completely Fake. Gen. V.K. Narayan is not CoAS. Avoid sharing unverified information and rely only on official sources from the Government of India for accurate information,' the PIB post said. A social media post claiming that the Indian military used Ambala Airbase to attack Amritsar and its own citizens is also fake, PIB said. India targetting the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project in Pakistan is fake news as well. 'This claim is baseless. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has clearly stated in a press conference that India has only targeted terrorist infrastructure,' the PIB added. 'Pakistan-based handles are circulating a video claiming that the Pakistan Army strikes posts in Battal Sector, Jammu & Kashmir, eliminating at least 12 Indian soldiers,' another PIB post on X said. 'This video is old and NOT related to any activity post #OperationSindoor… This image is from August 2011… It has also been used in a news report from 2016…' the post added. A video alleging that an Indian Post was destroyed by the Pakistani Army has also been junked by the PIB Fact Check Unit. "Fake video is being circulated by Pakistani handles alleging that an Indian Post was destroyed by the #Pakistani Army… The claim is completely false, and the video is staged… There is no unit called '20 Raj Battalion" in the #IndianArmy… This is part of a coordinated propaganda campaign aimed at creating panic and misleading the public," PIB's post on X said.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
PIB cautions against ‘Pakistan-sponsored propaganda', flags false claims
The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Thursday (May 8, 2025) cautioned against 'Pakistan-sponsored propaganda' on social media and urged people to scrutinise information. 'If you encounter dubious content, especially concerning the Indian Armed Forces or any info related to ongoing situation, report it to #PIBFactCheck,' it said on X. 'Social Media post falsely claims India targeted the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project in Pakistan. This claim is baseless. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has clearly stated in a press conference that India has only targeted terrorist infrastructure,' said another message. Operation Sindoor: Follow LIVE updates on May 8, 2025 The unit, which functions under the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, said several Pakistan-based handles were circulating an old image claiming that a Pakistani missile had hit an Indian S-400. 'The image being shared is from 2023, of a fire at a military site in Moscow,' it said. A video shared through Pakistan-based handles, claiming that the Pakistan Army had struck posts in the Battal sector of Jammu & Kashmir killing 12 Indian soldiers, was also found to be fake. The image used is from August 2011 and it was also reported in the media in 2016, the PIB unit said. 'An old video is being shared to show a Pakistani attack on an Indian military colony. This video is from Indonesia, dated May 6, 2025, and was recorded before #OperationSindoor was even launched,' the fact-checking unit said. Quoting a previous PIB release and a news report, another post said: 'Pakistani social media accounts are recycling an old video and sharing it in the present context. The video is from an earlier incident from 2019, involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17 V5 helicopter that crashed near Budgam, J&K.' The unit also found that Pakistan-based handles were sharing an old image claiming that the Pakistan Army had intercepted a UAV that fell in Gujranwala, Pakistan. 'The image being circulated is from the Ukraine-Russia conflict in 2022,' it said, referring to a related news report. Old videos falsely alleging strikes on a military base in Amritsar were detected by the team, while another video from September 2019 of the Pakistan Army waving a white flag at the Line of Control (LoC) to recover bodies of its dead soldiers was being shared by Pakistani handles with the false claim that it was the Indian Army taking back bodies of its soldiers, it said. The unit fact-checked another video of a crash which claimed that Pakistan had shot down another Indian fighter plane. 'The video being shared is from February 2025 and depicts the crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 aircraft near Shivpuri, Gwalior, which occurred during a routine training mission,' it said, highlighting the news report concerned.
