Pakistani groups dissatisfied with ADB’s Chashma project inspection process

The Inspection of the Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project in Pakistan began in early January with the Panelists preparing a work plan prior to their visit to Pakistan, scheduled for later in the month. The Inspection Requesters were invited to comment on a draft terms of reference for the Inspection.

On February 10, 2004, the Chashma Project inspection requesters wrote to the Secretariat of the Board Inspection Committee to acknowledge receipt of the final terms of reference (TOR) for the Inspection Panel. In their letter the requesters raised several concerns with the final TOR:

  • Under the TOR the Panel is only authorized to inspect the Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project, Stage III, and not other loans that are relevant to the project. This is of great concern to the requesters because the Environmental Management Plan for this project is being funded as a sub-project of another loan (the National Drainage Program), and because many of their complaints are about non-compliance with ADB environmental guidelines and procedures.
  • The requesters are also concerned that the Panel’s policy scope is limited. The final TOR does not authorize the Panel to assess ADB compliance with the Policy on Confidentiality and Information Disclosure and the Indigenous People’s Policy, both of which the requesters believe have been violated throughout the design, preparation and implementation of the Chashma Project.
  • The requesters have invited the Inspection Panelists to participate in a People’s Tribunal, the Chashma Lok Sath, that will be held in the project area from March 26 – 27, 2004. The requesters were disappointed to see no mention of this tribunal in the TOR, but are still encouraging the Panelists to participate so that they may hear personal testimonies from people affected by the project.

Under this project, a 274-kilometer (171-mile) canal is being built along the Indus River, beginning at the Chashma Barrage. The project also includes the construction of 72 distribution canals, 68 cross-drainage structures, and 91 bridges.