‘Govt has allocated Rs100b for Diamer-Basha, Dasu dams’

State minister for finance says Pakistan needs water reservoirs

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan on Friday informed the Senate that an amount of Rs100 billion has been allocated in the budget 2018-19 for Diamer-Basha and Dasu dams.

Responding to a query raised by Opposition Leader Sherry Rehman, he said the country is wasting huge amounts of water due to non-construction of reservoirs.

“We have allocated Rs100 billion for the Diamer-Basha and Dasu dams and it is up to the next government to decide about their construction,” he added.

He suggested inviting experts from universities and other departments to advise on how to handle the shortage of water.

He said that members of the water caucus should come up with an open mind to give their recommendations.

Earlier, Rehman demanded setting up parliamentarians’ water caucus to discuss recommendations to address the issue.

She said all four provinces have come to an understanding and signed the country’s first water policy.

The new policy is essential for better management of Pakistan’s water resources and to ensure that future generations are not deprived due to global warming and climate change, she added.

According to the policy, administrative bodies will be established at the provincial as well as federal levels to effectively manage water supplies better, she said, adding this includes the national water council and provincial water authorities for the purpose.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2018.

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