Overseas Pakistanis and Diamer-Basha Dam

I’m glad that overseas Pakistanis have always responded to national issues with patriotic fervor. The recent fund raising call by Prime Minister too was welcomed positively. Over the last 48 hours, number of non-resident Pakistanis has generously contributed to the dam’s fund, which is not only appreciable but encouraging for the resident Pakistanis.

It is known to everyone that the dam requires a hefty budget of more than 1400 billion rupees, and which may not be pulled through fund-raising only; what matters the most is the will of our people who came forward and played their part.

The government is expecting overseas Pakistanis to raise as much as 1 to 2 billion dollars over the next six months, which surely seems possible; keeping in view their annual remittances that is $ 20 billion on average. So far, responding to PM’s $1000 call, various overseas associations and individuals have publically announced their support.

Experts believe that if the government manages to arrange and allocate around 500 billion rupees to Diamer Basha, the project could be kicked off in the mid of 2019. Although, Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved 474 billion rupees as an estimated cost for Diamer-Basha this April, if power generation expenses are included, the total budget goes to no less than 1.45 trillion rupees.

Critics suggest that the government should make efforts to bring the stashed amount of $200 billion into Pakistan, and instead of building a single big dam, should work on small dams that could complement the existing canal system and water preservation.

Nonetheless, our responsibility as a member of this nation is to extend our unconditional support to the PM-CJ call and trust their devotion.

Why is the Dam necessary?

Diamer-Basha Dam

Uniqueness

• World highest roller compacted concrete(RCC) Dam

Location

• On River Indus, Gilgit-Baltistan

Site                 

• Near Basha, Diamer District, GB

Foundation

• Foundation stone was laid by ex-Prime Minister Mr Yousaf Raza Gillani on 18 Oct, 2011

Benefits

• 4,500 megawatts of production
• Storage of 8,500,000 acre feet (10.5 km³) of water for irrigation and drinking
• Support life extension of Tarbela Dam
• Flood control
• Creation of 15000 jobs
• Renewable and cheap energy through Hydropower generation
• Establishment of infrastructure that would elevate socio-economic indicators 

Height

• 272 meters

Spillways

• Nine gates each 11.5 m x 16.24 m high

Reservoir Level

• 1160 m

Gross Capacity

• 7,300,000 acre feet (9.0 km³)