HYDERABAD, Nov 29: The All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union (CBA) has rejected the allegations levelled by the non-CBA Paigham union about corruption and wrongdoings by CBA leaders.

Speaking at a press conference at local press club on Friday, CBA chairman Iqbal Ahmed Khan and general secretary Iqbal Kaimkhani said that Paigham union’s provincial chairman Sajjan Panhwar, who levelled the allegation at a press conference recently, only used to be part of their union as regional chairman at the Jamshoro power house. They said he lost confidence of workers, who did not elect him in the internal elections.

The top CBA office-bearers admitted getting extension but insisted that the reward was based on their performance. In this context, they referred to the appreciation and shields awarded to them by former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali.

Rejecting Mr Panhwar’s allegation of the CBA being the Hesco ‘pocket union’, voters could better judge their conduct. Regarding the rival union’s charges of corruption against officials, they said it was for the Hesco and Wapda water wing (south) chief executive officers to clarify their respective positions.

They said the Paigham union had suffered defeat in referendums five times in a row. During the period it had been filing cases in the National Industrial Relations Commission against the CBA but without any success, they added.