CJP Saqib Nisar says dam’s construction is not WAPDA’s responsibility only

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has said that it is not only WAPDA’s responsibility to construct the dam. Addressing the two-day symposium on water shortage on Saturday, he said that all should jointly work for the construction of dams. “We have been ignoring the most important thing for several decades. We do not want to create a justification for kickback by authorizing the WAPDA to give the contract,” he said. Sartaj Aziz said that the CJP had highlighted the issue on time. “It is mandatory to evolve consensus among provinces for the resolution of water issue. Reforms in institutions are impossible without consensus. We will have to allocate more financial resources for the resolution of the water issue,” he said. He called for powerful water authorities in provinces. “We should also focus on establishment of Indus Water Authority at the federal level. The provinces should separately prepare their master plans in the water department,” he suggested. NESPAK vice-president Dr Tahir Hayat said that the anti-dam lobby in the country creates hurdles in the dam on technical grounds. He said that the land sliding issue in northern areas is severe and geological studies should be conducted to resolve the land sliding issue. In the second session, Justice Mashir Alam and Sartaj Aziz gave away shields to speakers.