Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for immediately starting construction work on the Diamer-Bhasha dam and other mega water-related projects and to ensure quality of work and meeting timelines of all the projects.
He was chairing a briefing on the national water security strategy and construction of dams to meet agricultural as well as energy requirements of the country, Imran said that ensuring water security was the foremost priority of the government.
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“Besides optimum utilisation of the available water resources for agricultural needs, construction of dams will help meet energy requirements at affordable rate,” Imran told the meeting.
He said the progress made so far was satisfactory and directed for immediate initiation of construction work of the dam. He added that ensuring water security was the foremost priority of the government.
PM directed for according priority to the use of local material and expertise during the construction work. “It will provide huge job opportunities to our people. It will also boost construction and related industry and provide a huge stimulus to our economy,” he added.
The prime minister was briefed about progress in resolution of the pending issues related to construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam. He was informed that the issues relating to settlement and detailed roadmap for mobilisation of financial resources etc had been resolved.
The meeting was informed that Diamer-Bhasha project had remained stuck for decades due to various reasons but now it was ready for commencement of physical work. Imran expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far and directed for immediately starting construction work.
The Diamer Bhasha dam will create 16,500 jobs and utilise huge quantity of cement and steel, which will give a boost to the local industry. It will also produce 4,500 megawatt of cheap electricity to meet the country’s energy requirements.
The meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister Faisal Wawda, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Special Assistant on Information Lt-Gen (retd) Asim Bajwa, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain and senior officers.
The prime minister emphasised on starting the Sindh Barrage as a priority project. “Sindh Barrage has huge benefits of addressing agriculture needs of the province, it will stop erosion of soil from seawater and improve drinking water situation for urban centers of Sindh,” he said.
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of the Water Resources Ministry and Wapda for “pursuing projects passionately to realise our dream of self-reliance in food security, industry and exports”. He also reiterated his emphasis on keeping a close watch on quality of work and meeting the timelines.
