Chinese firm contacts NAB after Sindh govt official demands apartment in Burj Khalifa

A Chinese firm has submitted a written complaint with Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after an official of the Sindh government allegedly demanded an apartment in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in return for awarding them a restoration tender.

According to a copy of the letter, which is available with The Current, Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP) Director Ghulam Mohiyuddin Mughal demanded commission from China Road & Bridge Corporation/Hubei Shuizong Water Resources and Hydropower Construction Co. Ltd. (CRBC-HBSZ) against handing them the contract for the restoration and upgradation of the Sukkur Barrage. He went on to demand a 3,600 sq ft apartment in Burj Khalifa, the letter said.

“It is stated our firm participated in the bidding process of the name of work ‘Restoration and Upgradation of Sukkur Barrage Contract: SBIP/SI and qualified for award of said work. The above officer demanded amount on award of work as commission and later on his demand is accelerated by sending picture of (Burj Khalifa) Dubai to purchase an apartment (covered area 3600 sq.ft) in his name,” read the letter.

Titled “Complaint against Mr Ghulam Mohiyuddin Mughal (Project Director) Project Management Office (PMO) Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP)”, the letter called on the director general of NAB Karachi to initiate an inquiry against the official for demanding bribes in exchange for approving a contract related to the Sukkur Barrage restoration. It further said that in case of inaction against the official, the firm would have to suspend work on the mega project.

“Your gracious control is therefore requested to please enquire in the matter, and necessary penal action may please be taken against otherwise, we shall suspend the work halfway.”

While the government is yet to react to the allegations against the official, it may be noted that the foundation of the Rs34 billion project was laid by the Sindh government of Sindh with the support of the World Bank. CRBC-HBSZ is responsible to execute and complete work on the same while also remedying any defects therein.

SBIP is the implementation body of the project that aims to extend the life of the 90-year-old barrage by another 30 years.

The project includes rehabilitation and modularisation of the structure, mechanical components, development of the system, improvement of surveillance and monitoring system, dredging, desilting of left and right canals etc.

Sukkur Barrage is one of the most important and strategic structures of the Indus Basin Irrigation System.

Located about 170 kilometers downstream of Guddu Barrage, Sukkur Barrage supplies water to seven large canals on the left and right banks with a total command area of approximately 3.2 million hectares, the annual agricultural production of which is worth about US$2.29 billion.