The World Bank has urged the Pakistani government to protect people who filed a complaint over potential social impacts of the Dasu Hydropower Project, warning against threats, intimidation, or retaliation against complainants, victims, and witnesses.
In a letter to Economic Affairs Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar emphasized the need to protect people who raise concerns about projects financed by the institution. The complaint relates to additional World Bank financing for the Stage I transmission line of the Dasu Hydropower Project.
The complainants believe they have been, or could be, adversely affected by the project. They have also alleged retaliation in connection with their complaint. However, the World Bank said it generally lacked the means to independently verify such allegations and had no indication that identifiable officials or individuals had carried out retaliatory actions.
The bank said it does not tolerate reprisals against people who express concerns about World Bank-financed projects. It asked the Pakistani government to remind all project partners, particularly the relevant implementing authorities, of their responsibility to protect people who raise concerns.
The complaint has been submitted to the World Bank’s independent Inspection Panel, which examines whether the institution has complied with its own policies and procedures in projects it finances. The panel is currently assessing whether the complaint meets the requirements for further consideration and has not yet recommended a full investigation.
If the complaint is found admissible, the panel will assess whether the concerns warrant a formal investigation and make a recommendation to the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. The final decision on authorizing an investigation rests with the board, and no decision has been made to launch one.
The World Bank said documents related to the request for inspection had been shared with the Office of the Executive Director representing Pakistan at the institution. Copies of the letter were also sent to the chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and other senior officials in relevant ministries.
The complaint concerns the construction of a transmission line under the additional financing for the Stage I Dasu Hydropower Project, which has a planned capacity of 4,320 megawatts. The run of river project is being built on the Indus River in Upper Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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