Lahore, The Implementation Committee on Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams (ICDBMD), established by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, convened today to assess the progress on land acquisition and resettlement efforts for the Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam projects. The meeting, led by Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and ICDBMD, Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), focused on the advancement made by the Sub-Committee on Land Acquisition and Resettlement.
According to Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority, the session saw virtual participation from high-ranking officials, including the Chief Secretary of Gilgit Baltistan and Senior Member Board of Revenue Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, among others. The meeting aimed to address the concerns related to the resettlement of affected families and the acquisition of necessary land for the dam projects.
Chairman WAPDA expressed appreciation for the progress made and highlighted the ongoing efforts to resolve outstanding issues regarding household and missing Chulha cases in Gilgit Baltistan. The commitment to redress legitimate grievances of the affected families was reaffirmed, underscoring the importance of their sacrifices for these national projects.
The Commissioner of Diamer-Astore Division provided an update on the status of household and missing Chulha cases, as well as the development of terms of reference for the Grievances Redressal Committee and Missing Chulha Committee. Updates on compliance with previous ICDBMD decisions were also shared by key project officials, including the CEO of Diamer Basha Dam and the General Manager/Project Director of Mohmand Dam.
The meeting underscored the significance of the Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams, which are pivotal for Pakistan’s water storage and energy generation capabilities. The Diamer Basha Dam, set for completion in 2028, will store 8.1 million acre-feet (MAF) of water and produce 4500 MW of hydropower. The Mohmand Dam, expected to be completed by 2026, aims to store 1.2 MAF of water and generate 800 MW of electricity, contributing significantly to the country’s clean and green energy resources.
The progress on these projects reflects Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance its water storage and hydropower production capacities, addressing both the energy needs and water conservation imperatives of the country.