Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams fund surges to Rs7.07 bn
By contributing Rs1 million, CJP became the first donor.
(Web Desk) – The amount in Diamer Bhasha and Mohamand Dams Fund has surged to Rs7.076 billion as per stats available on Supreme Court of Pakistan’s website till October 29, 2018.
Following a report predicting severe water shortages in the country by 2025, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar had initiated a crowd-funding drive for construction of mega-dams to counter growing water crisis in the country.
By contributing Rs1 million, CJP became the first donor. Many others including Pakistan Army, showbiz fraternity and sports personalities followed the much-appreciated suit.
Various branches of the military have donated a whopping $7.3m to the noble cause. COAS 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.”
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Army chief is among those who have donated to the dam fund
The Election Commission of Pakistan—the electoral body—also contributed 3.4 million rupees for construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
Actor Hamza Ali Abbasi has donated Rs300000 in the fund while cricket legend Shahid Afridi aka boom boom has donated Rs1.5 million. Amir Khan, the British boxer has announced to donated Rs. 1 million to the CJP fund in a video message. 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.
People from all walks of life even school pupils have contributed to the noble cause.
Pakistan requires mammoth $14 bn to construct a mega-dam in Diamerg and an additional $2.5 bn to construct another dam, Mohmand, about 125km to the south-west.
If it is built, Diamer-Bhasha dam would have a generating capacity of 4,500MW and stand 272m (892ft) high, making it the sixth tallest dam of the world.
Contribution methods
Citizens can donate Rs10 to the dam fund by typing “dam” and sending the SMS to 8000 which will deduct the amount from the credit of the phone.
Online donations to the fund can be made through internet banking, automatic teller machines and alternate delivery channels. All banks have forwarded the IBANs of fund accounts to their clients via SMS alerts whereas bank-wise list of IBANs is also available at the web pages of State Bank of Pakistan.
The overseas Pakistanis having PKR accounts in Pakistan can also make donations in the Fund through the internet banking facility of their respective banks.
