Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday instructed all relevant authorities to immediately eliminate any obstacles delaying the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project, declaring it a top national priority crucial to Pakistan’s economic independence.
While presiding over a high-level meeting focused on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other water resources, the Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s economic resilience depends on low-cost energy and a thriving agriculture sector—both of which require improved water management and expanded storage infrastructure.
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Sharif highlighted the dam’s role in ensuring a consistent energy supply, preventing floods, and supporting agricultural irrigation throughout the year. He directed officials to resolve all administrative, legal, and logistical issues without delay to accelerate the project’s completion.
The meeting, held at the PM Office, included Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Water Resources Minister Moin Wattoo, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, and other senior officials. The participants agreed that increasing water storage capacity is now a necessity, not an option, due to worsening climate conditions and falling groundwater levels.
WAPDA briefed the forum on recent achievements, including the diversion of the Indus River—a key development enabling the construction of the dam’s main structure.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the strategic importance of new dam projects, stating that they are vital not only for energy generation but also for water storage and protection against climate-induced disasters. Once completed, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam is expected to store 8.1 million acre-feet of water and generate 4,500 megawatts of electricity, significantly aiding Pakistan’s energy and agriculture sectors.
