{
  "id": 13354701,
  "title": "World Bank Tells Pakistan to Protect People Affected by Dasu Project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/world-bank-tells-pakistan-to-protect-people-affected-by-dasu-project",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T07:30:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/10/world-bank-tells-pakistan-to-protect-people-affected-by-dasu-project/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The World Bank has urged the Pakistani government to safeguard individuals who lodged a complaint regarding the potential social repercussions of the Dasu Hydropower Project, cautioning against threats, intimidation, or retaliation towards complainants, victims, and witnesses. Bolormaa Amgaabazar, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, highlighted the importance of shielding those who voice concerns about projects funded by the institution in a letter addressed to Economic Affairs Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim. The complaint pertains to supplementary World Bank funding allocated for the Stage I transmission line of the Dasu Hydropower Project, with the complainants asserting that they or others may have experienced negative consequences due to the project. They have also alleged retaliation linked to their complaint. However, the World Bank noted its inherent inability to independently verify such allegations, expressing no evidence of identifiable officials or individuals engaging in retaliatory actions. The bank reiterated its stance against any reprisals against individuals expressing concerns about projects financed by the institution. It instructed the Pakistani government to remind all project partners, especially the responsible implementing authorities, of their obligation to protect those who raise concerns. The complaint has been forwarded to the World Bank’s independent Inspection Panel, which evaluates whether the organization adheres to its own policies and procedures in the projects it finances. The panel is presently evaluating the complaint’s eligibility for further scrutiny and has yet to recommend a comprehensive investigation. Should the complaint be deemed admissible, the panel will determine if the concerns warrant a formal investigation and submit a recommendation to the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. The ultimate decision on authorizing an investigation lies with the board, and no such decision has been made thus far. The World Bank stated that the documents pertaining to the inspection request have been provided to the Office of the Executive Director representing Pakistan at the institution, with copies also dispatched to the chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and other senior officials within pertinent ministries. The complaint pertains to the construction of a transmission line under the additional financing for the Stage I Dasu Hydropower Project, which is projected to have a capacity of 4,320 megawatts. This run-of-river project is being constructed on the Indus River in Upper Kohistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.",
  "summary": "The World Bank has urged the Pakistani government to protect people who filed a complaint over potential social impacts of … Read More The post World Bank Tells Pakistan to Protect People Affected by Dasu Project appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [
    "World Bank urges Pakistan to protect complainants of Dasu Hydropower Project.",
    "Complaint alleges potential retaliation linked to concerns about the Stage I transmission line."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}