A Chinese company has filed a complaint with Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau (NAB), alleging that Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP) Director Ghulam Mohiyuddin Mughal demanded a luxury apartment in Dubai's Burj Khalifa in exchange for awarding a tender. The complaint, submitted by China Road & Bridge Corporation and Hubei Shuizong Water Resources and Hydropower Construction Co. Ltd. (CRBC-HBSZ), claims the official requested a 3,600-square-foot apartment as a commission for the contract to restore and upgrade the Sukkur Barrage.
The firm alleged that the demand was accompanied by a photo of the Burj Khalifa and urged NAB Karachi to investigate the matter promptly. The company warned that if no action is taken, it may halt work on the $34 billion project, which is funded by the World Bank. The project aims to extend the Sukkur Barrage's lifespan by 30 years through structural and mechanical upgrades and improved monitoring systems.
The Sukkur Barrage is a vital part of Pakistan's Indus Basin Irrigation System, supporting seven canals that irrigate 3.2 million hectares of farmland. This farmland generates $2.29 billion in annual agricultural output, making the project's success critical to the region's economy and food security.
The complaint has drawn attention to corruption risks in high-stakes development projects, potentially jeopardizing foreign investment and international collaboration. NAB has yet to announce any official action or findings regarding the allegations.
The firm alleged that the demand was accompanied by a photo of the Burj Khalifa and urged NAB Karachi to investigate the matter promptly. The company warned that if no action is taken, it may halt work on the $34 billion project, which is funded by the World Bank. The project aims to extend the Sukkur Barrage's lifespan by 30 years through structural and mechanical upgrades and improved monitoring systems.
The Sukkur Barrage is a vital part of Pakistan's Indus Basin Irrigation System, supporting seven canals that irrigate 3.2 million hectares of farmland. This farmland generates $2.29 billion in annual agricultural output, making the project's success critical to the region's economy and food security.
The complaint has drawn attention to corruption risks in high-stakes development projects, potentially jeopardizing foreign investment and international collaboration. NAB has yet to announce any official action or findings regarding the allegations.