Rawalpindi: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) allowing the re-tendering of two lots of the Rs33.95 billion Dream Water Supply Project in Rawalpindi after terminating previously awarded contracts worth Rs20.40 billion.
The NOC was issued to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi and the Project Management Unit, clearing the way for fresh bidding. Officials said the re-tendering process is expected to result in savings of around Rs2 billion.
The dispute over the two lots had remained unresolved for nearly a year. Although a joint venture comprising a foreign and a Pakistani firm had qualified for the tender, the contracts for Lot-2 and Lot-3 were awarded solely to the foreign company, prompting objections.
Following intervention by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team conducted an inquiry and declared the contract award non-transparent and in violation of procurement rules. The Dream Project Steering Committee subsequently cancelled the contracts.
The matter later reached the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court, where the Punjab Housing Secretary was appointed as mediator and recommended re-tendering.
The Dream Water Supply Project aims to provide an additional 12 million gallons per day of water from Chahan Dam to six densely populated union councils, including areas along Adiala Road.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
