New dams and water reservoirs are imperative for an economically safe, stable and prosperous Pakistan, said Farooq Yusuf Acting President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI). Leading an awareness walk organised by Nexuses Lions Club about the construction of new dams here Tuesday, he said that as per international yardstick every country should have water storage capacity of one year to protect its strategic interests.
He said "ironically Pakistan has only storage capacity of 120 days which may jeopardize our efforts for a progressive Pakistan." He said that construction of dams by India on rivers leading to Pakistan had made the situation more complicated and serious in terms of water scarcity.
He said that no new dam had been build in Pakistan during last three to four decades while sedimentation had further reducing the storage capacity of the existing dams. He lamented that "our politicians have intentionally made construction of new dams controversial which was totally against the national interest of Pakistan."
He appreciated the suo motto notice of Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar for the construction of new dams and said "his bold initiative has inspired the entire nation who is now willing to donate for the construction of new dams."
He said "we should not adopt myopic approach and think for the welfare and betterment of coming generations." He urged upon the students, businessmen and patriotic Pakistani to donate generously for the construction of new dams in addition to exerting pressure on the government to start immediate construction of new dams including Kala Bagh Dam.
The walk started from Staff Training College Hashmat Khan Road. The participants holding banners and placards marched from college premises up to D Ground and later the walk culminated at the Staff College.
Later, a seminar was also held in which experts and teachers also underlined the need to build new dams as our agrarian economy totally depends on the availability of water.
President Nexuses Lions Club Malik Manzoor also announced a donation of Rs 2 lakh for the construction of water reservoir.