KARACHI, Nov 23: In response to a news report in which the federal minister of water and power accused Siemens of supplying and installing defective and second-hand equipment for the telemetry system, Siemens Pakistan has issued the following clarification:

“Over the past few months, interested parties have tried numerous times to tarnish the integrity of the telemetry system installed by Siemens. Again and again Siemens has successfully countered the allegations.

“Now again several newspapers report that the minister of water and power told the Senate committee that Siemens provided second-hand equipment for that project. If asked by the Senate committee, Siemens will prove that the minister was misinformed on the subject. “The entire equipment installed in the system was brand new and from renowned manufacturers. The inspection of equipment was carried out by Wapda and Nespak immediately after shipment landing and prior and after the installation and no quality issues were raised. The Prime Minister’s Inspection Committee also visited several sites along with representatives of Irsa, Wapda, Nespak and Siemens and no such quality of equipment ... issue was identified.”