FAISALABAD: The executive committee of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) has unanimously approved a resolution for the construction of new dams in order to overcome the shortage of water for the coming generations.
The executive committee specially acknowledged the efforts of the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar to start the construction of Basha and Munda Dams as soon as possible from the own resources.
The resolution also urged the need to create much needed consensus among all the federating units on the construction of Kala Bagh dam as it will not only generate cheap electricity but also store maximum water in addition to averting the flood related devastations.
Chairing the meeting, Mr. Shabbier Hussain Chawla President FCCI said that Pakistan has already moved from water surplus country to water stress country. “If this trend of climate change continued, our green pastures will be turned into barren lands”, he feared. In this connection, he specifically mentioned the Indians designs to build dams on rivers allocated for Pakistan under Sindh Tas Agreement.
He termed it water aggression by our neighboring country and said that we must move expeditiously to foil its nefarious designs and in this connection each and every Pakistani must contributes its humble role.
Continuing Mr. Chawla said that predominantly Pakistan is an agrarian economy and water is its lifeline. He said that during 60’s Tarbela, Mangla and Warsk dams were build. “These dams had multiple and trickling impacts on our agriculture and economy but after this decades no major initiative to build water reservoirs was taken. He said that most feasible and viable project of Kala Bagh dam was intentionally made controversial through which we could easily brought under plough an additional barren and unclaimed land of 250 crore Acres in all the 4 provinces. “This dam has also potential to generate 3,600 mega watt of electricity which will certainly pay a key role in cutting down the cost of production in Pakistan. “Furthermore, this dam is also imperative to save huge infrastructure from the ravages of flooding every year”, he added.
He thanked CJP Mian Saqib Nisar for taking practical steps to start immediate construction of two major dams. He suggested that separate bank accounts should be opened for Basha, Munda and one also for Kala Bagh Dams so that people could voluntary donate for the dam of their own choice. “It will also serve as a referendum and negate the claims of those who are opposing this most viable project of national importance just on flimsy grounds. He said that if there is any genuine reservation of any province, these could be redressed in consultation with all stakeholders. He told that the business community of Faisalabad fully endorses the decision of CJP and is donating generously toward this fund. He told that the copies of the resolution unanimously adopted by FCCI to build new dams will be forwarded to CJP, Caretaker Prime Minster, Chief Ministers, Chairman Sindh Tas water Council and all the Chambers of Commerce & Industries.
