Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund - Who is contributing what?
These projects will assist the government in generating more electricity and storing water.
(Web Desk) - Keeping in view the need to construct dams and reservoirs in Pakistan, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar has created Supreme Court of Pakistan – Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams – Fund . There are various personalities who have contributed to it; some others from various walks of life are willing to do so. The fund was established on July 4 with an ambition to eradicate water crisis from the country. Masses’ participation in the fund can be done if they send an SMS by typing ‘dam’ and sending it to 8000, charges are Rs10 on each message.
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Notice from SC guiding people how to contribute in the fund. Photo: File
The construction of both dams is yet to be initiated. Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Lieutenant General (Retired) Muzammil Hussain stated that the work on Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams will initiate in the upcoming fiscal year 2018-19. According to him, “Both projects are vital to achieve water and energy security; therefore, all stakeholders should play their role in the initiation and timely completion of these projects.”
Also read: 30 billion dollar are wasted annually: Save water, save Pakistan
Who is contributing what?
The account was opened by CJP Saqib Nisar when he funded Rs1 million. Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor in a tweet said that the employees of Army, Navy and Air Force will contribute two days’ salary in the fund. Amir Khan, British Pakistani boxer has contributed Rs1 million.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 9, 2018
Army Chief General Javed Bajwa contributed a large sum of money in fund when he announced to donate Rs1006 million. It is second major contribution by the armed forces. The cheque was presented to Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar. COAS also presented the letter to CJP which reads, “It gives me (COAS) immense pleasure to share with you (chief justice) that the Supreme Court’s decision regarding construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams has been well received by Pak Army.”
Spiritual leader of Hurs, leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, Pir Pagara has asked his followers to contribute to the construction of dam. Institution like Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has also requested their employees to contribute to the fund for the dams which are essential for the future of Pakistan. Apex court staff, following its head CJP, also donated two days salary.
Actor and anchor Hamza Ali Abbasi has donated Rs300, 000 in the fund while super star Boom Boom Shahid Afridi donated Rs1.5 million. Recently, Amir Khan, boxer has also announced to donate Rs. 1 million to the CJP fund for the construction of Dams. In a video message posted on social media, the 31-year-old boxer said that Pakistan has a shortage of water and urged other influential Pakistanis to contribute towards the cause.
Also read: Hamza Ali Abbasi donates Rs300,000 for construction of dams
The Associations of Pakistan-Americans (APA) has contributed US$16,000 to the Diamer-Bhasha dam fund. Business tycoon and chairman Bahria Town Malik Riaz donated Rs50 million. Pakistani top singer Atif Aslam has donated Rs2.5 Million. Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed announced something out of the blue. According to him, Pakistan Railways Rs100 million to Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund. Pakistani world renowned umpire Aleem Dar has donated $10,000. Pakistan actress Meera has contributed Rs25, 000.
Storage capacity of the dams
Diamer-Bhasha dam power project will have 8.1 million acre feet (maf) of gross water storage capacity. It will produce 4500 megawatts electricity. On the other side, through Mohmand dam 1.2 million acre feet water will be stored while it will produce 800MW of electricity. These projects undoubtedly will assist the government in generating more electricity and most important of all they would help in storing water worth billions of dollars.
Also read: Construction of Diamer Bhasha, Mohmand Dams to start in FY 2018-19, PM informed
Cost of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dam Dam
Both the dams are quite pertinent as they would fulfil multiple purposes. Moreover they will be required to be constructed at the earliest as water worth billions of dollars is wasted on annual basis. According to officials, the total cost of Diamer-Bhasha Dam is around Rs1450 billion. From this amount, Rs650 billion will be used for the construction of reservoir. On the other side, cost of Mohmand dam is Rs300 billion.
SC has also issued toll free helpline 021-111-732-237 in case anyone has any query related to the fund or dams.
Will the amount be used justifiably?
In most of the cases, people are willing to contribute, but they are more concerned with the use of the money at the right place. This fund has been created by CJP, who has been very much active lately with regard to administrative matters. For fulfilling the financial needs of the people these projects are quite vital. One can just hope that this fund will be used at the right place. On the other side, if the cost of dams is observed than overall cost of both dams is quite high as compared to the amount gathered till this time in the fund, still every penny can prove fruitful if used at the right place.
Current status of fund. Photo: Supreme Court Website
The fund solely cannot achieve its set objectives, there will be a need of joint cooperation from the side of all stakeholders, only then these projects will complete; otherwise, they will delay as usual.
Written by: Junaid Ali Malik
