15 January 2004	Thursday	22 Ziqa'ad 1424

LAHORE, Jan 13: The Federal Ministry of Water and Power on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the use of low-grade steel in the Ghazi Brotha Hydropower Project (GBHP).

According to sources in the ministry, the inquiry committee, to be headed by a joint secretary, would look into the circumstances that led to the breakdown of officially determined specifications of steel and allowed use of low quality material in the project.

The inquiry team would also determine responsibilities of both Wapda and non-Wapda employees in breaking down of procedures for steel standards. Wapda Intelligence had reported on at least three occasions during the last four years the use of sub- standard steel in the project.

The authority constituted inquiries teams on all three occasions - October 1999, October 2000 and October 2003 - which verified all the claims made by its Intelligence Team. But, the Authority, in spite of three inquiries indicting its own and other employees, did not take any action against those responsible for it.

The project has been completed putting question mark on the life and strength of the whole project. Dawn had reported the matter on Jan 3, 2004.