Pakistan lawmakers protest alleged harassment after member questions ex-general

Chairman of Pakistan’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Junaid Akbar, on Wednesday suspended committee proceedings in protest over what he called retaliatory action against PAC member Sanaullah Mastikhel, whose electricity meters were allegedly removed after he questioned the inflated cost of the Dasu hydropower project.

Speaking during a brief PAC session, Akbar said no further meetings would be held until the National Assembly Speaker addresses the matter. “We will not conduct any meetings until this issue is resolved and taken to its logical conclusion,” he said.

Akbar explained that during Tuesday’s PAC meeting, Mastikhel had questioned Chairman WAPDA, Lt-Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani, over how a PKR 4 billion project ended up costing PKR 36 billion.

“He also questioned the criteria behind the chairman’s appointment. That same night, electricity meters at his and his relatives' homes were removed,” Akbar said, terming it a clear act of intimidation.

In protest, the PAC chief said the committee would not function until the retaliatory action is reversed.

“If members are threatened for asking questions, how can Parliament function? I’ve also brought this to the Speaker’s attention,” he added, vowing to summon the Power Division Secretary and FESCO officials to explain the incident. “I won’t tolerate any insult to our members.”

Other committee members also condemned the move, calling it “hooliganism” and an insult to parliament. “This issue must be taken to its logical end,” one member said.

Later, Akbar and Mastikhel held a press conference at Parliament House. Mastikhel alleged that after he questioned the Dasu project’s inflated cost and the WAPDA chief’s credentials, WAPDA officials visited his village, disconnected meters, and even threatened to demolish buildings.

“The entire committee condemned the act. My only fault was asking that Pakistan be run according to the law,” Mastikhel said.

Akbar added, “This isn’t just an attack on PAC—it’s an attack on Parliament and democracy.” He criticized WAPDA Chairman Sajjad Ghani, saying, “Though he claims no direct link to FESCO, this action came right after his appearance before PAC. We’ll call him again, along with the FESCO chief and Secretary Power. We’ve made mistakes before, but Parliament must stand united now.”

What triggered the 'backlash'?

The PAC reviewed on Tuesday audit findings revealing that a WAPDA project originally estimated at PKR 4 billion had ballooned to PKR 36 billion -- an increase of 202%. The audit report cited major irregularities, including:

• A PKR 29.41 billion cost increase without proper approvals
• Serious violations of PEPRA rules and PC-1 guidelines
• Unapproved changes to the project’s scope, including seven tunnels and three bridges
• Awarding costly contracts without competitive bidding
• Non-transparent payments to a contractor

Committee member Riaz Fatyana raised concerns about the lack of a revised PC-1 and urged making this a test case. Mastikhel strongly criticized the apparent impunity, saying, “We’re made to look like fools while the WAPDA chairman doesn’t even introduce himself properly.”

In response, WAPDA Chairman Sajjad Ghani defended his credentials, saying he is a professional engineer appointed through an open, competitive process.

PAC member Aamir Dogar noted, “Since we’ve become politically aware, only retired lieutenant generals have been appointed to head WAPDA. While we don’t question their competence, we do want answers -- how did a PKR 4 billion project escalate to PKR 36 billion?”

Senator Shibli Faraz went further, accusing WAPDA of arrogance and negligence. “How did you approve such variation orders? Who are you to waste public money? You should’ve completed this project for even less than the original estimate.”

In response to these revelations, PAC decided to forward the matter to NAB for investigation into the unexplained PKR 29 billion cost escalation.