Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the construction of new dams in Pakistan will proceed with the consensus of all provinces. During a meeting focused on water resources and storage in Islamabad, he emphasized the importance of completing undisputed reservoirs as a priority.

Prime Minister Sharif called for collaboration between the Federal Government, provinces, and federal units to build new water reservoirs. Additionally, he criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, labeling it a treaty violation and an act of water aggression. Sharif expressed confidence that Pakistan would respond effectively based on decisions from the National Security Committee meeting held in April.

The meeting also included a comprehensive discussion on strategies for constructing new dams. Chief Ministers from the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir condemned India’s actions and pledged to support the Federal Government.

A committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, was established to oversee the construction and funding of new water reservoirs. This committee, including provincial leaders and relevant federal ministers, is tasked with reviewing funding strategies and presenting recommendations within 72 hours.

Attendees were informed of ongoing and future water infrastructure projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam expected by 2032 and the Mohmand Dam by 2027. Currently, eleven dams exist in Pakistan with a total capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet, and 111 more water reservoirs are under various stages of development.

The meeting featured notable participants such as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and multiple federal and provincial ministers, highlighting the collaborative approach to addressing the nation’s water security challenges.