The Daily “Express Tribune” has published a news in its paper dated 20th February, 2019 regarding projects approved by the CDWP in its meeting held on 19th February, 2019

Dated : 21 February 2019

The Daily “Express Tribune” has published a news in its paper dated 20th February, 2019 regarding projects approved by the CDWP in its meeting held on 19th February, 2019. The statement regarding the time extension of projects is misleading and is not reflected in the sense as it was discussed in the meeting.

The fact is that the forum allowed time extension to all five projects of PAEC till 30th June, 2019 as demanded by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Whereas, the reporter has tried to give impression that the CDWP has sought clarification from the sponsors which is misleading. The PAO/Secretary of the executing agency was competent to accord extension in the execution period to the projects. However, the revised policy was notified on 21st September, 2016 under which PAO can give extension twice in execution period of projects up till close of financial year. Prior to it, there was no requirement on the part of the executing agency including PAEC to get approval from the CDWP as PAO was empowered to grant as many extensions as required to complete the project.

It is important to mention here that Media is one of the strong tier of the governance system. Such misleading reports about higher forum cannot be appreciated.

It is therefore requested to issue Rebuttal as no ultimatum was given to the PAEC from the CDWP. The statement regarding time extension of PAEC projects is misleading and is not reflected in the sense as it was discussed in the meeting.

Mushtaq Ahmed Raja
Chief PIA