Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a review meeting concerning the Diamer Basha Dam project, attended by senior officials, including the Secretary Planning and the Chairman of WAPDA. During the meeting, Iqbal emphasized the importance of expediting the project’s completion for Pakistan’s water and food security. He revealed that the project’s costs have escalated significantly due to past delays and inadequate planning, marking an increase from the initial Rs. 479 billion to a staggering Rs. 1400 billion.
According to Press Information Department, Iqbal criticized the previous government’s management of the project, highlighting the hurried commencement of construction in 2020 without proper financial backing, further exacerbating the situation. He indicated that the cost estimates during the previous administration ranged from Rs. 600 billion to Rs. 750 billion, yet only Rs. 480 billion was officially documented. Iqbal proposed separating the dam and power projects, suggesting that the latter’s financing should be sought from the private sector to avoid similar delays. Additionally, he emphasized the need for updated planning documents, lamenting the absence of a revised PC-1 even after six years.
In his concluding remarks, Iqbal urged the involvement of engineering and hydrology students from Pakistani universities in the dam’s construction to enhance their learning and contribute to the national project. He also directed all relevant departments to prioritize the timely completion of the Diamer Basha Dam to safeguard Pakistan’s water and food security.