ISLAMABAD: A significant meeting was convened under the chairpersonship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to deliberate issues relating to the Diamer Bhasha Dam as well as other water resource schemes. In the meeting, it was highlighted that enhancing water storage capacity, providing sufficient water for agriculture, and building new dams to avert floods are crucial for the development of the country. The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan's economic independence is based on cheap electricity and a strong agricultural sector, which both need increased water storage and proper use of water. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered officials to give top priority to the completion of important projects such as the Diamer Bhasha Dam to ensure the country's energy generation and water reservoir capacity is strengthened. He ordered officials to eliminate all impediments that were blocking the construction of the dam and have it completed expeditiously. The meeting highlighted the significance of such infrastructure projects in ensuring Pakistan's water and energy future.

 

The session was graced by Federal Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, Federal Minister of Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister of Water Resources Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs and Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, and other high-level government officials.

 

The deliberations centred on concerted efforts to hasten the construction of the dam and maximize the use of the nation's water resources.