China-backed Diamer-Bhasha dam will serve as future lifeline for Pakistani economy: Shehbaz Sharif

Diamer: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the China-backed Diamer-Bhasha dam would serve as future lifeline for the country’s economy, augmenting the power generation, besides boosting agriculture activities.

Speaking after a briefing over the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Diamer, the PM directed the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to coordinate the project’s work with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “International investors should come forward to support the project,” he added. Chinese and Pakistani engineers were among the audience.

On 13 May 2020, the Pakistani government had signed a Pakistani Rs 442 billion contract with a joint venture of China Power and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for the construction of the dam. The contract was awarded after China agreed to lend money for the project.

PM Sharif stressed that 4500 MW project was of immense importance for the country’s economy and stressed that it should be completed ahead of its construction timeline of the year 2029.

The PM insisted to go ahead of its timeline of 2029 and complete it by 2026-27. “We can achieve it if we advance in unison,” he maintained.

The Prime Minister reminded that the project was initiated by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during 2016 and funds were provided by the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)-led government for the land acquisition.

“It is a gigantic task. We assure all out support from the federal government to complete the project as early as possible,” he stated.

He also announced the construction of 13 kilometre Babusar top tunnel to ensure year’s round traffic flow and asked the authorities to submit a study report to his office.

The PM observed that it would be a big success if they saved water and mentioned that Diamer-Bhasha dam would play a vital role in water storage capacity.

The Prime Minister mentioned it would save Tarbella dam from deposits of sediments and enhance its life span by 35 years.

“The dam would control flash floods, enhance agricultural productivity, besides create jobs opportunities in the area, leading to economic prosperity,” he added.

Earlier Chairman WAPDA Lt. General Muzzamil Hussain (retd) briefed the prime minister over the ongoing project.

The chairman WAPDA apprised the PM and the audience that three mega hydel projects Diamer-Bhasha, Mohmand and Dasu dams worth Rs 2.6 trillion were being completed.

He underlined that Diamer-Bhasha dam would have a storage capacity of 8.1 MAF with live storage of 6.4 MAF and irrigate 1.23 million acres of land. It will generate 18,100 Gigawatt hours (GWh) power annually, he informed.

The project would be completed during 2029 despite different challenges, he said adding, about 16500 jobs would be created.

Later, the Prime Minister also took an aerial review of Karakorum Highway, 3MW Thuk power project and Chilas Cadet College.