Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), an apex body of business chambers in the country, has stressed the need for immediate construction of water reservoirs and dams to meet increasing power shortage.
Speaking at a round table discussion here on Sunday on "The impact of power shortage on national economy", FPCCI President Sultan Ahmad Chwala said the country was currently facing the worst power and gas crisis adding that uninterrupted supply of power was a pre-requisite for country's economic growth and development.
He said without reliable power supply there could be no production and no industry, and issues like fulfilling international trade commitments would no longer matter. He said industry and agriculture were vital national sectors requiring smooth electric and gas supply for development.
"In view of the power situation confronting the country today, construction of water reservoirs and dams was absolutely necessary to meet water-power shortage," he said, adding that consensus regarding the construction of dams should be obtained at the earliest for the survival of the economy.
He said that international experts and studies conducted here by international bodies such World Bank, after detailed research have identified certain sites feasible for a big dam from technical point of view. Speaking on the occasion, VP SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iftikhar Ali Malik who is also co-chairman Businessmen Panel said new dams were inevitable to meet the ever increasing demand for inexpensive energy sources, and would also help bring down the cost of everything including essential commodities.
President LCCI Zafar Iqbal Chaudhary said that new dams would also help reduce the frequency and severity of flood havoc in downstream of river Indus, especially in Sindh province, he added.
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