The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the government to start work on the construction of Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams, noting that it was inevitable for the survival of people of Pakistan.
A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the construction of dams. The court formed a committee to be headed by the WAPDA chairman with a task to present a report within three weeks over the construction of these two dams.
After the hearing, the apex court immediately issued a statement, saying that Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has donated Rs 1 million as an initiative measure for construction of dams..
The court ruled that the Income Tax Department won’t not ask the sources of income from national and overseas Pakistanis who would donate for the construction of dams.
The court also ruled that an account would be opened in which donation for construction of dams would be collected.
Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan stated that it was the responsibility of the government to build dams.
Joint Secretary Water Resources Shumail Ahmed stated that in the last 18 years nothing was done for the construction of dams. He said that the allocation for water projects in the previous governments was reduced from 17 percent to 3 percent.
Mahar Muhammad Ali, joint secretary Pakistan commissioner on Indus Water, supported the construction of Bhasha and Mohmand Dams and briefed the court about the water situation in the country.
Planning Ministry Secretary Shoaib Siddiqui stated that the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) had already given approval for construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam. He said initially estimated cost was Rs 625 billion, which was estimated on March 19, 2018. He said Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project’s estimated cost was Rs 309.558 billion, which was estimated on April 26, 2018. The CJP asked the secretary to point out those responsible for delay in construction of water reservoirs.
Published in Daily Times, July 5th 2018.
