Islamabad, August 07, 2018 (PPI-OT): Implementation Committee of Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams (ICBMD) / Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt. Gen. Muzammil Hussain (Retd.) briefed a four member Bench of the Honourable Supreme Court headed by Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, and comprising Honourable Mr. Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Honourable Mr. Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Honourable Mr. Justice Munib Akhtar in Supreme Court of Pakistan today i.e. 07.08.2018.
ICBMD Chairman briefed the Honourable bench about the measures initiated for ensuring early commencement of construction work on Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam projects. Chairman WAPDA made a detailed presentation about the proceedings of the Committee and apprised the Honourable bench that legal framework and terms of reference of the Committee have been drafted besides formulating seven sub-committees to identify impediments which may hinder the projects and the ways and means to remove those hurdles effectively.
The Honourable Bench was briefed that ICDBMD has succeeded in identifying the issues relating to land acquisition, project financing, procurement, security and coordination. The ICDBMD has also aptly developed a set of recommendations to handle those issues, so that the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court dated July 4, 2018 for construction of the dams could be implemented in letter and spirit. The Honourable Bench was further informed about the timelines to accomplish the tasks leading towards early commencement and construction of Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams. The need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders was also underlined during the briefing.
The ICDBMD / WAPDA Chairman informed that in view of the procurement timelines determined by the Implementation Committee, the construction work on Mohmand Dam Project is expected to commence in early 2019, whereas an all out effort is also being made to start construction of Diamer Basha Dam Project during 2019 as early as possible.
Expressing his gratitude over the keen interest taken by the Honourable Supreme Court to avert looming water crisis in Pakistan, the ICDBMD / WAPDA Chairman said that the water situation in the country will improve under the guidance of the apex court, as both Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams will have cumulative gross water storage capacity of 9.3 million acre feet (MAF), in addition to generating 5300 megawatt (MW) low-cost hydel electricity. He also informed the Honourable bench that ICDBMD has achieved in four weeks what could not be achieved in a decade if Honourable Supreme Court had not passed an order for construction of these dams.
On the recommendations of the ICDMBD regarding appointment of monitoring Judge for Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams, the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan said that this Bench will act as Monitoring Bench for overall implementation of the two dams being a glorious and national cause. The Honourable Bench expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved so far by the Implementation Committee and assured that being a sacred national mission, the Supreme Court stands fully committed to ensure that funds are spent solely for the construction of the dams and nothing else.
He said that the Supreme Court will provide full support in implementation of Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam Projects and maintained that the nation cannot afford to waste even a minute in mitigating the water shortages, therefore, timely completion of these projects is a must and everyone will have to play the due role in this regard.
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