LAHORE: The Chinese firm which had stopped construction activities at various sites of the Dasu Hydropower Project after the July 14 terrorist attack, is likely to resume work by the end of this month as all issues — most of them related to security — have been resolved by the government.

A security consultant from China visited the project sites and held meetings with Pakistani authorities recently to assess security arrangements planned and done so far according to demands of the China Gezho­uba Group Company (CGGC) Limited and other Chinese authorities, Dawn has learnt.

“The Chinese may resume the construction work on the project sites by the end of this month, as all security-related issues have been resolved,” a senior official privy to the development told Dawn.

1,600 army men to be deployed to ensure security

According to a draft of the decisions taken in the light of the minutes of various meetings held by the senior government officials concerned, law enforcement agencies, Dasu Hydropower Project administration / Wapda and the CGGC management, the parties agreed to six steps taken by the authorities concerned.

The draft mentions that though the project doesn’t fall under purview of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor—which, under an agreement, guarantees provision of Pakistan army security to all CPEC projects in the country—the government, in a bid to provide enhanced and foolproof security, has deployed army troops (almost 1600 soldiers) including 800 in Dasu and surrounding area to look after the kinetic and non-kinetic domains of complete Kohistan Division and other adjoining areas with specific attention to the Dasu project sites.

It further reveals that the basic purpose of these troops is to stabilise the situation in the complete Zone and conduct intelligence-based operations to clear the area of terrorists. As the situation improves, the army troops may be withdrawn.

Under the decisions taken by the authorities concerned, four Frontier Corps platoons (120 personnel in total) for Dasu HPP will also be provided to the firm within two to three weeks. Wapda (the project owner) has also been entrusted with the task to induct more FC troops as soon as the construction works pick momentum.

The parties also accorded approval to deployment of 13 Frontier Constabulary platoons (43 personnel per platoon) by October 15. “The process for hiring and induction of these troops into the project area under a phased programme has already commenced. Out of 13, three platoons have already been mobilised and inducted,” reveals the draft. “Moreover, an additional platoon of police (40 personnel) in the project area has also been deployed by Police HQ. This platoon has established nine check posts/ points between Barseen and Tailrace.”

The parties also agreed on a separate Draft-Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, prepared already and forwarded to World Bank for approval. The plan deals with all kinds of emergencies. They also agreed to the point related to expediting the process of provision of a helicopter as per the provisions of the project contract. A robust three-layered communication will be established in the project area to intimately and quickly deal with any emergency situation.

They participants also agreed to a central joint control room established already by the employer (Wapda) in a building. In addition, control rooms will be established by the contractors in each residential camp/office/worksite. Wireless communication will be established by installing wireless boosters etc in the project area. The other arrangements included procurement of 50 mobile phones, including some satellite phones, for security representatives.

The participants also agreed to hiring an anti-terrorists expert to keep guiding the contractors, consultants and the employer on security issues.

The parties also agreed to include the names of personnel who organise strikes, commit theft or other criminal acts and are on the “blacklist” of the local government. Moreover, the contractor would neither issue them qualification certificate nor employ them again. However, the CGGC was asked to follow a proper procedure and documentation must be provided to the employer before dismissing such individuals.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2021