NA approves resolution for construction of new dams

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):The National Assembly Tuesday approved a resolution for the construction of new dams in the country. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while speaking on the floor of the House said the country was facing a major crisis of water and energy shortages.
“The country will plunge into darkness if new water reservoirs are not made,” he
added.
“There is no confusion regarding the construction of dams. All four provinces signed
an agreement in 1991 in this regard and we accept that as well as the agreement
mentioned” he added.
Qureshi said for the first time, the chief justice and prime minister sought help from the
nation adding the nation was extending support on this matter
and there was no confusion regarding the construction of dams.
“Pakistan’s future is linked to construction dams,” he added.
However, Pakistan Peoples Party expressed reservations against the
construction of Kalabagh Dam and party MNA Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur
protest.
“We support the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam but not of
Kalabagh Dam,” Talpur added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif
supported the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam, adding collecting funds
for the construction of dams was a positive step.
“The matter of construction of dams should not be politicised,” he added.
Asif continued that the water policy which was signed by all four provinces in April
2018 included the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam.
The agreement clarified very thing
regarding the dam, he added.
The water policy issue was under consideration since 2013 and was finally resolved
in 2018 and the credit for that went to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PML-N), he added.
Asif said, “Rs 150 billion were spent on Bhasha Dam of which Rs 122 billion was the cost of land and Rs 23 billion were fixed for its
annually expenditure.”
“The dam will be completed in nine years. However, if you want to speed its
construction then the yearly cost will go up from Rs 23 billion to Rs 40 billion
but it will be completed in the next five to six years,” he said.