Dasu Dam: Chinese company 'withdraws' notice to expel Pakistani workers

ISLAMABAD: A Chinese company working at the Dasu Dam has withdrawn its notification pertaining to the expulsion of its Pakistani workers, ARY NEWS reported quoting a confirmation from the WAPDA authorities and Foreign Office.

According to Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), previously the development work at the Dasu Dam project was halted after mutual consultation in the aftermath of an attack on a bus carrying Chinese and Pakistani workers to the site.

“Closing down work on the project was aimed at reassessing security situation.”

“The Chinese company will soon initiate work on the project,” the body responsible for managing Pakistan’s water and energy resources said and added that they were in constant touch with the Chinese officials.

Meanwhile, later clarification was also issued from the foreign office regarding the notification of termination of the employment contract of the Pakistani personnel working on the Dasu Hydropower Project.

“The Chinese construction company, China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) through its latest notification has declared its earlier notice, about contract termination of employment of Pakistani personnel working on Dasu Hydropower Project, null and void,” FO spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said.

He said that matters regarding security and execution of the project are being looked into, and the relevant authorities from Pakistan and China are in close contact on the same.

The construction of the project will be resumed soon.

“Both Pakistan and China remain committed to timely completion of Dasu Hydropower and other projects being undertaken with Chinese cooperation,” the foreign office spokesman said.

It is pertinent to mention here that a fifteen-member Chinese delegation is currently visiting Pakistan in connection with the investigation of the tragic Dasu incident on July 14.

“A fifteen-member Chinese delegation is currently visiting Pakistan in connection with the investigation of the tragic Dasu incident on 14 July 2021. The delegation comprises of the representatives from the Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce, criminal investigation and technical experts,” said the Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson.

The delegation visited Dasu and was briefed at the incident site by the Pakistani investigators. The delegation also examined the site along with the Pakistani counterparts.