ISLAMABAD: National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) on Monday suspended all construction activities and has withdrawn all of its man force working on important transmission lines for CPEC coal-based Port Qasim Project apparently due to threats and registration of FIR by Sindh government.
A spokesman of NTDC in a statement issued to media also said that the work will also be suspended on important projects due to harassing of the officers and officials of NTDC by Sindh Police. He further said that registration of FIR against its engineers and officials will delay in completion of energy projects under CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). However, NTDC engineers are completing the projects of grid stations and transmission lines in difficult terrains throughout the country on war footings.
According to details of FIR, the spokesman said that Police Station Dhabeji has registered FIR on behalf of Sindh government through Mukhtiarkar (Tehsildar) Taulqa Mirpur Sakro against the installation of towers of 500 kV Double Circuit Quad Bundle Transmission Line from Port Qasim Power Plant which was energized after day and night efforts of NTDC staff on Nov 2, 2017. The recently completed transmission line will evacuate power from 1320 MW Port Qasim Coal Power Plant and will help to eliminate load shedding from interior Sindh. The spokesman said that the government of Sindh was fully aware of the installation of towers in the area and ongoing activities of NTDC engineers.
It is pertinent to note that Secretary Power Division also made telephone contact with Chief Secretary Sindh when it was initially reported some two weeks ago that Sindh government is going to take action against NTDC officials. However, he asked the Chief Secretary Sindh for an amicable solution due to the importance of the project. The Secretary Power Division also made a request to CM Sindh during the Pak-China JCC on the same issue. However, regretfully, the government of Sindh instead of taking into account the importance of CPEC project and requests by the Secretary Power Division unilaterally decided to register FIR.
