Pakistani military pledges to donate to dams’ construction

Construction of the dams will begin in the fiscal year 2018-19. (ANJUM NAVEED/AP)

• Officers of the army, navy and air force will contribute two days’ pay, and soldiers one day’s pay, to the announced fund for this national cause
• The court’s Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on July 4 donated 1 million Pakistani rupees ($8,215) to the fund

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military on Monday pledged to contribute financially to the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
Officers of the army, navy and air force will contribute two days’ pay, and soldiers one day’s pay, to the “announced fund for this national cause,” tweeted Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, director general of the military’s media wing.
Last week, upon the directive of the Supreme Court, the federal government established a fund to raise finances for the dams in a bid to fight looming water scarcity.

Pakistan Armed Forces contributing to Diamer-Basha & Mohmand Dam Fund. Officers of Pak Army, Navy and Air Force will contribute their 2 days’ pay while soldiers one day’s pay to the announced fund for this national cause. #DamsForPakistan

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 9, 2018

The court’s Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on July 4 donated 1 million Pakistani rupees ($8,215) to the fund.
Meanwhile, on Monday Muzammil Hussain, chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), briefed the prime minister about Pakistan’s water and hydropower sectors, and about WAPDA projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams. Construction of the dams will begin in the fiscal year 2018-19.