Kalabagh Dam non construction is costing Pakistan Rs 192 billion annually
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A seminar arranged by Center For Global and Strategic Studies (SFGSS) Thursday stressed the need for the construction of more water reservoirs to meet
electricity and water needs.
“Construction of dams was inevitable for the prosperity and progress of the country. Construction of
dams would not only control massive loss of water during monsoon season every year, but would also be imperative
for better agri-production and address the energy crisis,” said the speakers.
Former chairman of WAPDA Shams-ul-Haq said, “Water is not a commodity, it is life and gift from the Allah
Almighty as creation of the world depended on it”.
He said Pakistan is paying an annual price of Rs 192 billion for failure to build the Kalabagh dam (KBD). He said China, USA and India had built 22,000,
7000 and 4,500 small and medium dams respectively but Pakistan comparatively built very less number of dams,” he said.
Kalabagh Dam was planned with an annual generation capacity of 12 billion units of electricity, at cost of Rs 1.2 per unit, he said. Due to incessant delays in the construction of the dam, Wapda fulfilled demand by generating electricity using expensive fuel, which costs
the nation Rs 192 billion annually, he maintained.
He recalled that in 1970 South Asian countries used to come to Pakistan for establishing of industries due to availability of cheaper electricity but now the situation is totally opposite.
“I am surprised why Pakistan is facing
loadshedding despite having capacity to generate cheaper electricity, we have capacity if we have will to do,” he
said. He accused that pro-Indian lobby is against the construction of Kalabagh Dam. “If you are against the
construction of Kalabagh dam, how can you be called friend of Pakistan,” he posed a question.
Chairman of Gomal Damaan Area Water partnership Brigadier (r) Muhammad Aslam Khan said, “Pakistan has
only 30-day storage facility in dams compared to 180-day storage in India and 365 days in Canada and USA.
According to international standards, 40 per cent of the river flows are required to be stored. Pakistan has only
13.29 MAF storage against 58 MAF.”
He said the cheapest energy could be generated through hydel resources and construction of medium and
small dams are crucial for Pakistan’s energy needs.
Chairman of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) Muhammad Ashraf said that Pakistan has one of the biggest irrigation systems. He said most of
the industrial, agricultural and drinking water comes from underground.
He stressed the need for water management besides construction of new water storage. Lieutenant General (R) Muhammad Zahir Ul Islam,
stressed on the need for water management and creating
awareness among the masses about the misuse of water.
electricity and water needs.
“Construction of dams was inevitable for the prosperity and progress of the country. Construction of
dams would not only control massive loss of water during monsoon season every year, but would also be imperative
for better agri-production and address the energy crisis,” said the speakers.
Former chairman of WAPDA Shams-ul-Haq said, “Water is not a commodity, it is life and gift from the Allah
Almighty as creation of the world depended on it”.
He said Pakistan is paying an annual price of Rs 192 billion for failure to build the Kalabagh dam (KBD). He said China, USA and India had built 22,000,
7000 and 4,500 small and medium dams respectively but Pakistan comparatively built very less number of dams,” he said.
Kalabagh Dam was planned with an annual generation capacity of 12 billion units of electricity, at cost of Rs 1.2 per unit, he said. Due to incessant delays in the construction of the dam, Wapda fulfilled demand by generating electricity using expensive fuel, which costs
the nation Rs 192 billion annually, he maintained.
He recalled that in 1970 South Asian countries used to come to Pakistan for establishing of industries due to availability of cheaper electricity but now the situation is totally opposite.
“I am surprised why Pakistan is facing
loadshedding despite having capacity to generate cheaper electricity, we have capacity if we have will to do,” he
said. He accused that pro-Indian lobby is against the construction of Kalabagh Dam. “If you are against the
construction of Kalabagh dam, how can you be called friend of Pakistan,” he posed a question.
Chairman of Gomal Damaan Area Water partnership Brigadier (r) Muhammad Aslam Khan said, “Pakistan has
only 30-day storage facility in dams compared to 180-day storage in India and 365 days in Canada and USA.
According to international standards, 40 per cent of the river flows are required to be stored. Pakistan has only
13.29 MAF storage against 58 MAF.”
He said the cheapest energy could be generated through hydel resources and construction of medium and
small dams are crucial for Pakistan’s energy needs.
Chairman of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) Muhammad Ashraf said that Pakistan has one of the biggest irrigation systems. He said most of
the industrial, agricultural and drinking water comes from underground.
He stressed the need for water management besides construction of new water storage. Lieutenant General (R) Muhammad Zahir Ul Islam,
stressed on the need for water management and creating
awareness among the masses about the misuse of water.
