Resolution calls for depositing Diamer-Bhasha dam funds into kitty

Demands resources be utilised for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims

A resolution was tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday, calling for the amount collected in the Diamer-Bhasha dam fund to be deposited in the national treasury, Express News reported.

The resolution, presented by MNA Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das, demanded that the resources be utilised for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims of the catastrophic floods of 2022.

The resolution stated that former chief justice Saqib Nisar had violated judicial traditions and rules by collecting funds for the construction of new dams and water reservoirs, leading to the establishment of the "Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund" on July 10, 2018.

The resolution also referenced to a news report stating that a five-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial was informed that as of January 2023, there were Rs16.53 billion in the fund, with an expected increase to Rs16.98 billion in the next quarter.

Read more: Dams fund has over Rs16 billion, SC informed

The Mohmand multipurpose dam project is said to enhance water and food security, and improve the standard of living for the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where almost 80% of the population resides in rural areas, boosting the region's socioeconomic development by creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty levels.

The project aligns with sustainable development goals of ensuring food security, clean water, and clean energy.

In January, the three-member bench directed the auditor general to review the entire record of the donations and capital disbursements together with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and identify whether or not there were any irregularities in the documents.

State Bank officials informed the court that the dams fund currently had more than Rs16 billion but so far neither any withdrawal had been made from the fund nor any expenditure incurred from that money.

The court was informed that the money deposited in the fund was invested in government securities such as T-bills by the National Bank. Sitting on the bench, Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that the fund had Rs10 billion which would become Rs17 billion on January 26.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan said that the record of the donors of the dams fund was available on the website of the Supreme Court. He added that he would tell the people which machinery was bought from this fund. He stressed that the dams fund money would not be spent on repairing flood damage.

Former CJP Nisar had established a Supreme Court of Pakistan Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Funds on July 10, 2018, to raise funds for the construction of both the dams.

The State Bank of Pakistan website stated that the SC supervised the fund and its registrar directly operated its account.

Later on, the then premier Imran Khan had also thrown weight behind Justice (retd) Nisar’s call for donations and had urged overseas Pakistanis to contribute to the effort to raise funds via voluntary donations.