By Muhammad Luqman
Taking notice of ever-increasing water crisis , The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the immediate construction of Bhasha and Mohmand Dams to help meet the needs of agriculture sector and ensure low-cost power generation.
The apex court under Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar heard a case related to scarcity of water and construction of new dams.
In the court order, it was said that the water resources are pertinent not only for human lives but for the country’s stability.
The Council of Common Interest has not expressed any reservation against Bhasha and Mohmand Dam, the order further said.
“How much water are we wasting?” the CJP, during the hearing, remarked.
The ministry of power and water responded that water worth millions of dollars is being wasted, adding that in one year 90 million acre-feet water is wasted, according to Geo TV.
He said that after Tarbela dam, a new dam should have been built every ten years.
According to the ministry of power and water, one million acre-feet water costs $500 million.
During the hearing, the CJP asked why the government does not want dams to be built, to which the officials of the ministry responded that the underlying issue is that it isn’t the government’s priority.
