The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced plans to send an Accountability Mission to Pakistan in September to investigate complaints related to various projects funded by the bank. This mission aims to verify the concerns raised and ensure that the projects are being executed effectively and responsibly. According to well-informed sources in the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), the mission will visit multiple locations in Pakistan to engage with stakeholders and seek resolutions to the issues reported.
The ADB’s accountability mechanism is designed to provide an independent and effective platform for those affected by ADB-assisted projects to voice their concerns. This mechanism ensures that any grievances are addressed appropriately, promoting transparency and accountability in the implementation of development projects. The EAD has notified the relevant ministries about the upcoming mission, which is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 18, 2024.
The Accountability Mission will cover several key locations, including Islamabad, Swabi (Pehur), Sahiwal (Punjab), Lahore, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (Peshawar and Abbottabad). The mission will consist of staff from the ADB Accountability Mechanism Office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF), including Principal Facilitation Specialist Viswanathan Ramasubramaniam, Senior Assessment and Facilitation Officer Olivia Rosita Llanillo, and National Facilitator Ahmed Bashir, based in Pakistan.
The mission’s primary objective is to conduct thorough consultations and monitor complaints filed regarding ADB-assisted projects. The team will engage with a range of stakeholders, including complainants, executing and implementing agencies, and project staff from the Pakistan Resident Mission. This engagement aims to facilitate constructive dialogue and collaboration among all parties involved, ultimately seeking mutually acceptable solutions to effectively resolve the complaints.
During the mission, the ADB team will hold meetings and site visits to assess the situation on the ground. According to the schedule, on September 12, 2024, the mission will spend the entire day meeting with project executing and implementing agencies based in Peshawar, and will conduct site visits if necessary. On September 13, the mission will discuss the Pehur High-Level Canal Extension Project and meet with the OSPF land valuation expert, as well as the project’s executing and implementing agencies.
On September 16, the mission will undertake field visits and meet with complainants in Punjab, focusing on the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Program (PICCIP). Additionally, the mission will hold meetings with the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC). On September 18, the mission will engage in discussions with PTLs (Project Team Leaders) regarding various complaints in Islamabad.
The mission’s primary goal is to facilitate a constructive dialogue among all parties involved in the complaints. This includes understanding the grievances of the affected people, clarifying the nature of the complaints, and identifying the harm caused. The mission will then report these findings to the relevant ADB panel for further action. This approach aims to develop mutually acceptable courses of action to effectively resolve the issues at hand.
The ADB will cover the full cost of this mission, underscoring its commitment to ensuring accountability and addressing the concerns of those impacted by its projects. By engaging directly with stakeholders and conducting on-the-ground assessments, the ADB aims to foster transparency and trust in its project implementation processes.
The Accountability Mission is a crucial step in addressing the grievances associated with ADB-funded projects in Pakistan. It highlights the ADB’s dedication to ensuring that development projects are implemented in a manner that is both effective and respectful of the concerns of affected communities. This mission not only seeks to resolve specific complaints but also aims to improve the overall execution of ADB-assisted projects in Pakistan.
