BY Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan , presently undergoing serious water stress due to low monsoon rainfall, plans to finalize its first ever National Water Policy by year-end.
In a bid to allocate more resources for water resource development, the South Asian country has recently established Federal Ministry of Water Resources that had been clubbed with power sector for over six decades.
“National Water Policy is expected to be finalised by the Council of Common Interests in couple of months,” says Chairman of Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Lt. General (rtd) Muzammil Hussain.
Pakistan government has asked WAPDA to re-strategize its priorities to increase water storage capacity and make energy mix in favour of hydel electricity
. WAPDA is planning to start construction work on Diamer Basha Dam and Mohmand Dam in 2018. Phase-I of Kachhi Canal, a much needed project for development of irrigated agriculture in Dera Bugti Balochistan, has recently been completed. In addition, three hydropower projects namely Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, Tarbela 4th Extension and Golen Gol, with total generation capacity of 2487 MW, will also be completed in phased manner from early 2018 to mid 2018.
Stage-I of Dasu Hydropower Project will come on line in 2022, while Stage-II will be completed in 2025, both stages will add 4320 MW to the national gird. Kurram Tangi Dam Project, being constructed in North Waziristan, will be implemented in two phases, hopes WAPDA Chairman.
