PM wants speedy efforts for construction of Diamer - Bhasha and Mohmand Dams

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has directed the Ministry of Water Resources to expedite efforts for construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

Presiding over a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, he also directed that financing strategy for Diamer-Bhasha dam should be brought before the Council of Common Interests for approval.

During the meeting, an overview of the annual surface water availability and distribution of western and eastern rivers was presented along with water storage capacity available in the country.

Matters pertaining to trans-boundary water issues and the efforts being made for early resolution of the pending disputes also came under discussion.

He observed that in order to meet the challenges of water scarcity and to cater to irrigation needs of the country, there is an urgent need for undertaking water conservation measures including construction of much-needed water reservoirs.

The Prime Minister said that failure to add storage capacity during last four decades has created a situation of water scarcity.

The meeting was informed that out of 137 Million Acre Feet of available water flow at present approximately 93 MAF is being diverted to the canals for irrigation purposes while 22 MAF of water is flowing into the Arabian Sea which was much greater than the required water-flow.

Taking note of significant increase in the unaccounted for water which has increased from 10 MAF to 22 MAF at present, the Prime Minister directed to put in place an effective mechanism for monitoring of discharge at all structures of Indus Basin Irrigation System.