KARACHI: The newly-appointed US ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson, recently visited Mangla Dam. In fact, the dam was built in the 1960s with American assistance. And half a century later, it is again that country which has come forward to help with some much-needed repairs, pledging up to $150 million to replace its giant turbines.
Mangla is the 16th largest dam in the world and a main water gateway for Pakistan. It was structured in a way so that it could provide not only irrigation, but also drinking water as well as hydroelectricity. By one estimate, the dam helps irrigate around three million acres of farmland. Pakistan has been gifted many treasures by nature, such as water, coal, and other minerals that could be used to generate electricity. Unfortunately, we don’t make use of these resources in the manner that we can and should.
The recent assistance from the US government to repair the dam is commendable. Apart from this, America is also providing assistance to Pakistan in projects related to education, agriculture, water and energy. And what do we give it in return? Rampant anti-Americanism.
Syed Sadaqat Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2012.
