LAHORE: Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt.Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review progress on the tasks, assigned to the sub-committees on Land Acquisition & Resettlement for Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams (ICDBMD) at ICDBMD Secretariat, Islamabad.
According to WAPDA spokesperson here, Muzammil Hussain, who is also chairman of ICDBMD, said that early completion of land acquisition and resettlement of the affectees were the priority areas in undertaking construction of Mohmand Dam. Besides implementing the development works meant for resettlement of the affectees, a number of additional schemes in social sector to improve health, education and drinking water facilities in the project areas are also being finalised in consultation with the stakeholders.
While reviewing the progress reports, the Chairman urged the two sub-committees to accomplish their tasks in accordance with the timelines as mentioned in the ICDBMD Report submitted to the honourable Supreme Court.
During the meeting of Sub-Committee on Land Acquisition and Resettlement for Mohmand Dam, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Convenor of the Sub-Committee apprised that acquisition of land for construction of Mohmand Dam Project would commence soon.
It was further informed that the process of acquiring the land would be completed in phased manner as per the plan. The Sub-Committee also gave a run-down of the salient features of development schemes which were to be undertaken for progress and prosperity of the locals in the project area as confidence building measures.
The Chairman of WAPDA/ICDBMD appreciated the work done by the Sub-Committee for Mohmand Dam, headed by the SMBR Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier, in another meeting of Sub-Committee on Land Acquisition and Resettlement for Diamer Basha Dam, the Chairman said that Chief Secretary, Gilgit-Baltistan, who is also convenor of the Sub-Committee has assured to present a set of comprehensive recommendations for addressing the issues relating to resettlement of the affectees and acquiring the remaining land in couple of days.
He appreciated the efforts of the Sub-Committee in handling the issue of boundary dispute between Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. The meetings were attended by members of the two sub committees.