Punjab University donates Rs27 mn for dams fund

LAHORE: The Punjab University on Saturday donated Rs27 million for the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund, ARY News reported.

Vice Chancellor of Punjab University Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar handed over the cheque in this regard to Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar.

The fundraising for construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams has crossed the benchmark of Rs3.9 billion, according to latest statistics.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on September 7 addressed the nation, appealing them –especially overseas Pakistanis – to help Pakistan avert looming water crisis and donate for construction of dams.

Read More: Dams’ fund renamed ‘Supreme Court/Prime Minister Dam Fund’

Until Sep 7, the country-wise data showed that within Pakistan an amount of Rs 1,972,643,520 (Rs1.97 billion) was collected through bank branches, interbank transfers and mobile phone SMS service. In 19 days, the fund collection has almost doubled.

Now it has reached around Rs 4.12 billion.

The fund has been established by the State Bank of Pakistan on the directions of the Supreme Court. All the commercial and micro-finance banks, and field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation have opened the fund account to receive donations in cash, and through cheques, pay orders and demand drafts at all their branches across the country.

The donors can also make online donations to the Fund through internet banking, automatic teller machines (ATM) and other alternate delivery channels (ADC) using IBAN of their respective bank. The banks have sent the IBANs of the Fund account to their clients through SMS alerts, while the bank-wise list of IBANs is also available at the SBP’s web page.