MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed for an urgent probe, within days, into reasons for technical fault in Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) that led to suspension of power generation.

During his day-long visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir where he was briefed by officials of NJHP Company about recent technical fault during last month. 969 megawatts project first faced suspension of power generation in 2022 due to fault in head race tunnel and was later restored after year in September last year and recent one in April this year due to same technical fault.

He expressed his displeasure that findings of inquiry into recent fault were still awaited and directed officials concerned to submit report within days and restore power generation after repair work as early as possible. He said it was unfortunate that $ 5 billion had been spent on project despite an initial estimate of $ 40 million, but it was still facing technical issues. “I am very much clear. I need thorough probe whether lapses were in design or in construction and responsibility should be fixed.

No more delay will be acceptable,” he added. He said it was project of national significance in power sector after Tarbela and Mangla dams with huge cost and must remain functional for decades. He directed that inquiry should be carried out by third party experts and not by designer or contractor of project. He directed Water and Power Development Authority and NJHP Company to complete repair work of tunnel at earliest and resume generation. He appreciated WAPDA chairman and his team for their efforts to repair fault in tunnel and resumption of generation last year.

Meanwhile, talking to delegation of Hurriyat leaders of Jammu and Kashmir comprising Mahmood Ahmed Sagar, Ghulam Muhammad Sufi, Syed Faiz Ahmed Naqshbandi, Altaf Ahmed Bhat, Shehzad Wani, Ijaz Rehani, Zahid Ashraf and Altaf Hussain Wani here Shehbaz Sharif said he effectively presented case of Jammu and Kashmir at OIC summit held in Gambia. He said Foreign Office and Pakistan’s Missions abroad will play their due role in further highlighting Kashmir dispute at international level.