Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has reiterated its demand to construct the water reservoirs particularly Kalabagh Dam, being an agrarian country, Pakistan cannot afford to waste huge amount of water resources, which are depleting fast. Shortage of water has not only caused undue damage to the agriculture sector but to the manufacturing sector as well.
President of MCCI Mian Iqbal Hassan said, we cannot waste more time therefore the government should pave way for early construction of Kalabagh Dam which is the only solution of water and electricity shortage, Mian Iqbal said, The Kalabagh Dam issue has been so much politicised during the rule of General Zia-ul-Haq that a consensus seems difficult therefore the government would have to take decision, he said, adding: Melting of glaciers are eye opener as sword of floods is hanging on our heads.
An opinion gained widespread support across the country that the losses of recent floods in Pakistan which are estimated to be billion dollars could have been reduced if big dams and water reservoirs were in place. He said that the dam is the most suitable project for the national economy as it will not only produce cheap and sufficient electricity but also avert the devastation caused by the floods. The dam is a must to control the poverty and hunger and those who were opposing the Kalabagh Dam were enemies of this country as they were playing with the country's future.
Electricity generation through thermal sources is estimated to cost almost Rs 16 per unit whereas the same can be produced at Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 through Hydel. The present scenario leads to import oil worth over $12 billion a year which is costing us dearly while causing to face insurmountable challenges to remain competitive both in national and international markets, he added.