ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has urged the Pakistani government to ensure that people affected by the Dasu Hydropower Project are protected from threats, intimidation and possible retaliation after they lodged a complaint with the institution’s independent Inspection Panel over potential adverse social impacts of the project’s Stage-I transmission line.
In a letter addressed to Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar stressed the importance of safeguarding complainants, victims and witnesses who raise concerns about projects financed by the institution.
The complainants believe they have been, or may be, adversely affected by the project, which has received additional World Bank financing for construction of its Stage-I transmission line. They have also alleged retaliation in connection with their complaint.
However, the World Bank clarified that it generally lacks the means to independently verify the accuracy of such allegations and had no indication that retaliatory actions had been carried out by identifiable officials or individuals.
The institution reiterated its policy of not tolerating reprisals against people who express concerns about World Bank-financed projects, referring to its publicly available Commitments Against Reprisals.
It asked the Pakistani government to remind all partners involved in project implementation, particularly the relevant implementing authorities, of their responsibility to protect individuals who raise concerns.
The complaint has been submitted to the World Bank’s Inspection Panel, an independent accountability mechanism established to examine concerns raised by people who believe they have been, or are likely to be, adversely affected by projects financed by the institution.
The World Bank clarified that the complaint is not currently under investigation. The Inspection Panel is assessing its admissibility and will determine whether the concerns warrant further examination. If the complaint is found admissible, the Panel may recommend a full investigation to the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors.
The final authority to authorise an investigation rests with the Board. The Panel has not yet made any assessment or recommendation on whether a full investigation is warranted.
Operating independently of the World Bank’s management, the Inspection Panel reports directly to the Board of Executive Directors. Its mandate is to examine whether the institution has complied with its own policies and procedures in projects it finances.
The Bank also informed the Pakistani government that relevant documents concerning the request for inspection had been shared with the Office of the Executive Director representing Pakistan at the institution.
The complaint relates specifically to additional financing for the Dasu Hydropower Stage-I Project and the construction of its transmission line, with concerns centred on potential social consequences for affected communities.
The 4,320-megawatt Dasu run-of-river hydropower project is being developed on the Indus River in Upper Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Once completed, it is expected to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s electricity generation capacity.
Copies of the World Bank’s letter were also sent to the chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and senior officials of the relevant ministries.
The Inspection Panel’s ongoing assessment will determine whether the complaint meets the requirements for further consideration and whether the issues raised merit a formal investigation into the World Bank’s compliance with its applicable policies and procedures. No decision has yet been taken to initiate a full investigation.
Story by Mushtaq Ghumman
