Pakistan should reduce dependence on India for water: PEW
Dams to help balance the energy mix
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Saturday said Pakistan should reduce its dependence on India and Afghanistan for water by constructing dams and water reservoirs.
Reducing dependence on enemy nations is essential for national security as water is being used as an effective weapon against Pakistan, it said.
Dams will not only ensure water security but also reduce dependence on fossil fuel balancing the energy mix which is heavily tilted towards oil, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
Th cost of Diamer-Basha dam was estimated to be Rs1450 billion in 2008 while the allocation for the dam for the year 2018-19 stands at Rs23.50 billion which is a joke, he added.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that the cost of the construction of the dam has jumped by billions due to delays and exchange rate erosion, Rs101 billion is required for purchasing land and resettlement of people while reservoir will need an investment of Rs 650 billion.
In this scenario allocating a meager sum for the dam speaks of neglect of policymakers which is criminal, he said.
Dr. Mughal said that nation is contributing for construction of two dams which is laudable but the cost cannot be covered through charity. It requires the resources which can only be met through loans worth billions of dollars.
He said that dams will also reduce dependence on furnace oil saving billions of dollars in energy imports. It will reduce the cost of power generation triggering economic activity, creating jobs, boosting exports and revenue.
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