The Council of Common Interest has unanimously approved the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam in order to meet a condition set by donors for the release of funds for the project on Sunday. The approval has been granted at CCIs meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad. The Bhasha Dam project hit snags when the World Bank conveyed to the government that it would not release funds after India raised objections to it claiming that the project was located in Gilgit-Baltistan which it considered a disputed territory. Addressing the meeting, the PM urged the Council to play a more effective role to resolve the lingering issues between the provinces and Federation. The PM also told the meeting that as per the 18th amendment the CCI would be formed within 30 days after the new PM takes oath, besides the summoning of the meeting of CCI within 90 days is mandatory. Federal Ministers, four chief ministers and incharge of inter-provincial affairs Raza Rabbani attended the meeting.
