Ahsan Iqbal Chairs Review Meeting on Diamer Basha Dam Project Progress
By Amna Gul
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, presided over a review meeting on the progress of the Diamer Basha Dam project.
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the dam’s critical role in Pakistan's water and food security, stressing the need for its swift completion in the national interest. He pointed out that as of 2018, the estimated construction cost was Rs. 479 billion, with Rs. 120 billion already spent on land acquisition. However, delays and postponements during the previous government’s tenure have caused significant cost overruns. He revealed that in 2020, construction began hastily without a solid financing plan, exacerbating the issues.
The minister noted that during the previous government, the project's cost was reported to be as high as Rs. 600 billion and even Rs. 750 billion in various standing committee meetings, yet officially it was still listed as Rs. 480 billion. Ahsan Iqbal blamed the cost escalation—from Rs. 479 billion to Rs. 1,400 billion—on the previous administration’s incompetence, funding shortages, and delays.
Expressing concern, Iqbal stated that even now, a complete financing plan for the project is lacking. He suggested separating the dam and power projects, proposing that financing for the power component should come from the private sector.
He further noted that despite six years having passed, the revised PC-1 of the project remains unprepared. He had previously advised against starting work on any project whose PC-1 is older than two years, as he mentioned in a standing committee meeting during the last tenure.
Looking forward, the minister proposed completing future projects through public-private partnerships to avoid funding delays. The Diamer Basha Dam, once completed, will store 6.4 million acre-feet of water, vital for Pakistan's agriculture and industry.
Iqbal also stressed the importance of involving Pakistani engineering and hydrology students in the dam's construction to gain valuable experience. He urged all relevant departments to prioritize the dam's timely completion to ensure Pakistan's water and food security.
