Work on Diamer-Bhasha Dam to begin in 2018

WAPDA chief says water, energy resources vital for national security

LAHORE: Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Muzammil Hussain said on Friday that water and energy security were key components of national security.

"For these, we need to make critical development plans in both water and energy sectors and there has to be a strategy that turns words into action," Hussain said while speaking to participants of the National Security and War Course of National Security College, Islamabad.

The delegation, headed by National Security College Commandant Major General Khalid Zia, visited the Wapda House on Friday. Wapda members for finance, power and water, its secretary and other senior officers were present on the occasion.



Highlighting the condition of water and power sectors, the Wapda chairman said the country had lacked a proper national water policy for the last 70 years despite being confronted with serious water problems.

There had been a lack of focus on the development of water resources, he said, noting that the establishment of the Ministry of Water Resources had improved things due to greater focus.

He said Wapda had reset its priorities in order to increase water storage capacity and increase the share of hydroelectric power in the energy mix.

Wapda was also planning to start construction work on Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam in 2018, the chairman announced.

Phase-I of the Kachhi Canal, a much-needed project for development of irrigated agriculture in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, had recently been completed, Hussain said, adding Neelum-Jhelum, Tarbela 4th Extension and Golen Gol projects would be completed in a phased manner from early 2018 to mid-2018.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2017.

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