PM Ashraf wants small dams to meet power needs
Meeting notables from his constituency Gujjar Khan on Saturday, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf stressed the need for the construction of small dams to help the country overcome the energy crisis.
Talking about a development programme for the Potohar region, the premier said the construction of small dams would be his priority.
“Keeping in view the energy crisis, I will prefer building small dams across the country and start these projects from the Potohar region,” he told a public gathering
The prime minister said, “Pakistan is a country blessed with enormous natural and mineral reserves. Copper and gold deposits in Balochistan, Thar’s coal reserves, Punjab’s fertile land and more than 40,000MW hydro-electric potential in Gilgit-Baltistan are some of the examples … yet the country is still stricken with energy deficiency and poverty.” He observed that Pakistan’s resources have not been exploited due to political uncertainty, adding that economic development was intertwined with stability.
Prime Minister Ashraf vowed utmost efforts to rid people of unscheduled power outages in the minimum possible time. He termed this a short-term goal however claiming the government has planned long-term projects to resolve both scheduled and unscheduled outages permanently. He added that power generation had improved and would further improve in the near future.
The premier said instructions had already been issued to the interior ministry to provide Pakistani expatriates with machine readable passports as early as possible. He noted that they deserved a fair deal for their contribution to the country’s economy by sending millions in remittances.
He also underscored the importance of undertaking drives for deforestation and soil conservation in the region to minimise effects of climate change and restore the beauty and grandeur of the landscape.
Gujjar Khan’s notables expressed their pride in Prime Minister Ashraf, adding that the town had produced many of the country’s prominent personalities including the chief justice, the army chief, two Nishan-e-Haider recipients and several four-star generals.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2012.
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@Royal: You are right but if we did this job with the passage of time, it was ok but now technically if we do this job now, too much cost on it. Its better to made the new dams practically not verbally. Although its too late but its better to take a step ahead to make new dams.
Riaz . With our population growth graph which is almost double from 70s .I wonder with our limited resources can we ever solve the power problem . I totally agree with self responsibility is the key. The government only law maker not a service provider What Is your take on Kalabagh dam .
Riaz Haq ,thanks for positive update and great job. All other yours negative approach will not help any thing.
I agree that more small dams should be built to alleviate the power shortage.
In addition to megaprojects such as 1000 MW Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project, a number of community-based micro hydro projects are already being executed with the help of the Agha Khan Foundation in Pakistan's Northern Areas and NWFP. Within this region, out of a total of 137 micro-hydro plants, the AKRSP has established 28 micro-hydros with an installed capacity of 619kW. Initially, in 1986, these plants started as research and demonstration units. These projects were extended to community-based Village Organizations (VOs) and became participatory projects. A Village Organization (VO) is a body of villagers who have organized themselves around a common interest.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2009/04/pakistan-pursues-several-new.html
Do it. Statements would not work.
GIve this task to a man who works 18hrs a day and is the current chief Minuster of Punjab IF YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN IN 2 YEARS
Godd idea to build small dams all over the country. But Mr. PM can you start construction on just ONE right away. Can you?
Than start building them in reality instead of in your dreams!
We need Kalabagh dam.
In these few days or months he have, he can build only dame of hope and this is also if some one in Pakistan really belive him and his govt.Hello Is their is someone who can belive him?????
Nothing new here..
yawn What i do not understand is why not spend money on the maintenance of the dams we already have???
to build small dams with brand new rented turbines