LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Wapda former chairman retired Lt-Gen Muzammil Hussain on Jun 6 for allegedly causing a loss to the national kitty to the tune of $753 million in a hydropower project.

In a call-up notice to Mr Hussain, the NAB says there are allegations against him of misuse of authority and misappropriation of the government funds in the extension-IV hydropower project of Tarbela Dam which caused a loss to the national kitty to the tune of $753 million.

He is to appear with complete details of the funding process adopted, contract evaluation, PC-I and subsequent revisions in PC-I, administrative approvals and technical sanctions from the competent authority. Completion certificates verified by the competent authority and complete details of the installation/commencement of the said project have also been sought from him.

The probe is currently at the ‘complaint verification stage’.

Bureau probing misuse of authority and corruption in Tarbela extension project

Gen Hussain resigned from his office last month, citing personal reasons.

In his resignation, Mr Hussain said he and his team achieved some outstanding milestones in the last five years, such as commissioning several hydropower projects that were earlier subject to complications and delays, including Neelum-Jhelum, Kachhi Canal, Tarbela fourth extension and Golen Gol.

Hussain was appointed Wapda chairman on Aug 24, 2016, by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, replacing Zafar Mahmood. His contract expired on Aug 24 last year, but the PTI-led federal government re-appointed him for another term of five years -- the first-ever precedent in the history of Wapda -- after then prime minister Imran Khan accorded approval in this regard.

Since his abrupt resignation surprised many, some Vloggers claimed that Mr Hussain had supported PTI chief Imran Khan during the no-confidence motion moved against him by then PMLN-led opposition in March last.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2022