Biggest Dam in history of Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday vowed to create the "biggest dam in Pakistan's history" after beginning construction work on the Diamer-Bhasha dam project, adding that the project also will benefit the people living in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

The prime minister made the remarks while addressing a public gathering in Chilas. Earlier, he had visited the location of the dam where he was briefed on the mega project.

In a tweet earlier today, Special Assistant to the PM on Information retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said that the project will generate 4,500MW of hydel power and supply a minimum of 16,000 jobs.

The premier began his speech by stressing that nations only progress once they consider the long term and once they invest in their resources, uplifting those segments of society that are left behind.

"The decisions made within the 90s to get electricity using imported furnace oil affected our accounting deficit. When there is pressure on exchange, [the country's] economic conditions start deteriorating."

He stated that when the PTI took over the govt, it inherited an accounting deficit of Rs20 billion, the most important within the country's history.

"The value of the rupee started falling after deciding to get electricity from imported oil; when the rupee depreciates, all imports become costlier and inflation rises. This affects poor people."

The premier vowed that with this project, the govt was going towards building the "biggest dam in Pakistan's history".

"This is going to be our third dam. China has made around 5,000 big dams, but have a complete of about 80,000 dams. From this, you'll gauge the huge mistakes we've made within the past.

"The decision to create this dam was taken 50 years ago. There is often no better site for constructing a dam, it's a natural dam. Forty, 50 years ago this was decided, and work on the project has begun today. this is often one among the most important reasons why we've not progressed."

The premier maintained that the govt will now move towards building more dams on rivers, which can lessen pressure on exchange and permit Pakistan to get its own fuel.

He added that generating electricity from water rather than furnace oil or coal will prevent, also will have a positive impact on heating and global climate change. "The benefits are dual. we cannot need to import fuel and it won't affect our climate negatively."

Imran said that the project would also generate job opportunities for people living within the region. "I am conversant in GB and have visited Chilas on multiple occasions within the past 30 years. I'm cognizant of what proportion the world depends on tourism and the way much they have tourism during the summer months."

He said that he will speak to the chief minister to organize standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resurrecting the tourism industry that has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We can learn from the planet, tourism is slowly resuming. It won't be an equivalent because it was before the pandemic hit, but we will start opening it slowly and begin developing SOPs for it," he said, adding that assistance will even be extended by the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) during this regard.

The premier added that the project was an enormous opportunity for the people of Chilas and GB. Addressing the people of GB, he said: "We didn't increase your budget out of obligation. it's our government's policy to prioritize those areas that are left behind.

"Thus far, our development has been restricted to a couple of cities. we'll be left behind until we spend on uplifting less-developed areas."

Therefore, the govt is investing in GB, merged districts, and Balochistan, he said. He concluded his speech by congratulating the people of GB. "Time will prove that this dam will change the fortune of the people of GB, especially those living in Chilas."