Islamabad: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has stressed the critical importance of the Diamer Basha Dam project for ensuring Pakistan’s water and food security, urging that its completion is expedited for the national interest.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, during a review meeting on the progress of the Diamer Basha Dam project held in Islamabad, Ahsan Iqbal addressed the financial and developmental hurdles the project has faced. Initially estimated at 479 billion rupees, the dam’s construction costs have soared to 1400 billion rupees due to delays attributed to the previous administration. The Minister emphasized that these delays, which included postponements and a lack of funding, have significantly driven up costs.
The Diamer Basha Dam, once completed, will provide a storage capacity of 6.4 million acre-feet of water. This capacity is deemed vital for bolstering the agricultural and industrial sectors in the country. Furthermore, Minister Iqbal advocated for the involvement of engineering and hydrology students from Pakistani universities in the dam’s construction, suggesting that it would provide valuable practical experience and contribute to the educational aspect of the national project.