World Bank Tells Pakistan to Protect People Affected by Dasu Project

For context, the World Bank has pressed the Pakistani administration to protect individuals who filed a complaint over potential social impacts of the Dasu Hydropower Project, warning against threats, intimidation, or retaliation against complainants, victims, and witnesses.

Key points

• The complaint relates to extra World Bank financing for the Stage I transmission line of the Dasu Hydropower Project.
• The World Bank remarked documents related to the request for inspection had been shared with the Office of the Executive Director representing Pakistan at the institution.
• The complaint reservations the construction of a transmission line under the further financing for the Stage I Dasu Hydropower Project.
• The complaint has been submitted to the World Bank's independent Inspection Panel.
• The bank remarked it does not tolerate reprisals against residents who express reservations concerning World Bank-financed projects.

In a letter to Economic Affairs Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar emphasized the need to protect individuals who raise worries regarding projects financed by the institution. The complaint relates to extra World Bank financing for the Stage I transmission line of the Dasu Hydropower Project.

Notably, the complainants believe they have been, or could be, adversely affected by the project. They have additionally alleged retaliation in connection with their complaint. Nevertheless, the World Bank stated it generally lacked the means to independently verify such allegations and had no indication that identifiable authorities or individuals had carried out retaliatory actions. Almost Half of Region's Poorest Residents Live in Pakistan: World Bank.

Notably, the bank remarked it does not tolerate reprisals against residents who express reservations concerning World Bank-financed projects. It asked the Pakistani administration to remind all project partners, particularly the relevant implementing authorities, of their responsibility to protect residents who raise reservations.

In practice, the complaint has been submitted to the World Bank's independent Inspection Panel. It examines whether the institution has complied with its own policies and procedures in projects it finances. The panel is at present assessing whether the complaint meets the requirements for further consideration and has not yet recommended a full investigation.

If the complaint is discovered admissible, the panel will assess whether the worries warrant a formal investigation and create a recommendation to the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors. The final decision on authorizing an investigation rests with the board, and no decision has been created to launch one.

Meanwhile, the World Bank remarked documents related to the request for inspection had been shared with the Office of the Executive Director representing Pakistan at the institution. Copies of the letter were additionally sent to the chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and other senior office-holders in relevant ministries.

For context, the complaint reservations the construction of a transmission line under the further financing for the Stage I Dasu Hydropower Project. It has a planned capacity of 4, 320 megawatts. The run of river project is being built on the Indus River in Upper Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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In short, world Bank Tells Pakistan to Protect People Affected by Dasu Project is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.