Pakistan Embassy in Lisbon holds fundraiser for dams

LISBON: Pakistan’s Embassy in Portugal’s capital Lisbon held an event to raise funds for PM-CJ fund for Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams and promotion of ties with Pakistan and Portugal.

Charge d Affairs at Pakistan Embassy Lisbon,  Fayyaz Ahmed Khan inaugurated the event with his speech.

Addressing the Pakistani community,  Fayyaz Khan praised the initiative of the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) who autonomously launched a campaign to collect funds for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam along the Indus River.

“Pakistanis have already begun to suffer due to the perpetual shortage of drinking and irrigation water and this shortage will eventually multiply with the passage of time, if immediate practical measures to overcome this issue have not been taken,” said Fayyaz Khan.

The event, held in collaboration with veteran Journalist Azfar Bukhari, also focused on promoting culture and tourism between Pakistan and Portugal.

Foreign diplomats, senior government functionaries, renowned businessmen, journalists, prominent members of the Pakistan community and world famous Portuguese Fashion Designer Mr. Joao Rolo attended the event.

Joao Rolo, while sharing his experience of his recent visit to Pakistan, added that Pakistan is not only one of the safest countries  to visit for tourism purpose but a lucrative place to start any kind of business.

Azfar Bukhari, while addressing the Pakistani community, said that everyone should contribute for the betterment of our country, it is the fact that the capital outlay is so massive that donations alone cannot suffice to fund the dam, but the dam campaign has at least created awareness among the masses about the need for a water reservoir.

Bukhari said he would also contribute to promote Portuguese culture and tourism in Pakistan to enhance the bilateral ties between two friendly nations.

Bukhari, who is well regarded within the major quarters of EU, is on the visit of different European countries these days along with ARY News team to promote the PM-CJ fund for Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

Apart from journalism, Bukhari is famous for his strong socio-political ties not only in Pakistan but in other countries of the Middle East and Europe as well.

In the year 2011, Sindh Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution to honor his services rendered for the country.

About the dam fund

The Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund 2018 was established by the federal government in pursuance of a Supreme Court order for raising funds for the construction of the two dams.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was the first to donate money for the fund as on July 5, he deposited Rs1Million as donation in the account titled “DIAMER BASHA AND MOHMAND DAM FUND–2018′.

The fund, which was merged with PM’s fund by PM Imran Khan on September 7, can receive donations and contributions from both domestic and international donors, individuals and companies, and the general public has been requested to contribute generously.