PM Khan performs groundbreaking of Mohmand Dam

MOHMAND: Prime Minister Imran Khan has performed groundbreaking of Mohmand Dam which would be completed at a cost of over Rs183 bn by 2024, ARY News reported on Thursday.

Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice (Retd.) Mian Saqib Nisar, attended the groundbreaking ceremony as chief guest while it was also participated by the Chief of Army Chief (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and various other high-level officials.

PM Khan, while initiating his address to the groundbreaking ceremony of Mohmand Dam, expressed thanks to the former chief justice of Pakistan Justice (retd.) Mian Saqib Nisar. He said, “I’m grateful to ex-CJP Saqib Nisar for his struggle to construct dam.”

He also praised Pakistan army forces for playing a vital role to eliminate terrorism from the tribal belt.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that best opportunities for investments were present after the establishment of peace in tribal areas of Pakistan.

“People don’t invest in war zones, but now all are moving heads towards Pakistan to make investments. Peace was established [in these areas] with the help of tribesmen and Pakistani troops.”

The premier said that the government was well aware of issues being faced by tribesmen, as well as water crisis which he reasoned due to the shortage of dams.

PM Khan was of the view that the previous governments were failed for lacking futuristic projects which led the other countries of the region to leave behind Pakistan in the development race.

PM Khan announced the allocation of Rs4 billion funds for the development of Mohmand. He added, “The area which possesses natural resources will be given benefits of it.”

“The government has decided to provide 2G and 3G technologies to the tribal areas besides taking swift steps for education facilities,” the premier said.

“All provinces have decided to decide a part of up to three per cent from NFC [National Finance Commission] Award.”

The premier said that China has assured maximum support to Pakistan during his recent visit.

PM Khan clarified that he would not discuss the topic of election as the present government wanted to show how to serve the nationals.

“We have to complete five million houses’ project at earliest,” he announced.

The event was also addressed by the ex-CJP Mian Saqib Nisar and Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda.

Mohmand Dam

Mohmand dam is being constructed on Swat River and it will be completed at a cost of over Rs183 bn by 2024. The dam has the capacity of storing 1.2 million acre-feet water. The project was scheduled to be completed in five years and eight months.

Mohmand dam on completion will generate 800-megawatt electricity besides bringing about 17,000 acres barren land under cultivation.

It will also solve the problem of water scarcity in Mohmand besides saving Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera districts from floods.

Earlier, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) on March 26 had awarded long-delayed contract for civil and electro-mechanical works of Mohmand Dam Project to a joint venture comprising the China Gezhouba Group of Companies (CGGC) of China as the lead firm and Descon engineering company of Pakistan as its partner.