Aitzaz calls for criminal investigation of Nandipur scandal

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and PPP senior leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsan on Wednesday called for a criminal trial and an investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of alleged corruption and irregularities in the Nandipur power project.

Speaking during debate on an adjournment motion in the Senate today, Aitzaz said that accusations against the federal government were very serious.

"This project is not a technical matter but a matter of corruption. There is no way to escape it," he said.

The senior PPP leader said that the 'mega-scandal' should be thoroughly investigated.

"We have suggested that the Nandipur project be investigated by the National Accountability Bureau," he said.

Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif said that he had no objection on whether the probe is carried out by NAB or on some other forum.

He said that the operations and shutting down of power plants was a regular day-to-day matter.

"Even today, there are several plants which we sometimes shutdown or make them operational comparing the fuel and per unit costs," said Aitzaz.

He said that the Water and Power Ministry publishes on its website a daily list of the amount of electricity being produced by different power plants and the costs are which they are being operated.

Some harsh words were traded between Power Minister Khawaja Asif and Opposition Leader Aitzaz Ahsan during the debate.