ISLAMABAD: Central leader of the Businessman Panel and former vice president FPCCI Khurram Sayeed on Saturday said Pakistan cannot become a stable country in the absence of big dams. He said that masses would not have faced the problem of floods if mega dams were constructed therefore all politicians should unite in the national interest.
Khurram Sayeed said that dams are imperative to resolve energy crisis which has crippled economy and left millions jobless creating multiple problems for the society. He said that dams are a national issue and all the patriotic forces should join hands for early construction of the project which is lifeline for the country. It is not a political issue but a matter of survival of the nation, he underscored.
He said that lingering issue of the KBD has potential to fuel conflicts therefore this matter of national importance should be resolved forthwith. Those who are opposing the construction of dams are discounting national interests, he said, adding that a referendum on the issue as advocated by former chairman Wapda should be considered.
Expressing sympathy for the flood-affected people and urged the government to construct dams to prevent floods permanently which is immediate and permanent solution to the electricity crisis, shortage of water for irrigation and massive losses of lives, crops and properties worth billions of rupees in all the four provinces every year due to floods.
Water which goes out of control and causes vast devastation can be stored and used for progress, development and prosperity of Pakistan, only in last four years more than 30 billion dollars loss has been caused by the floods to the national economy besides about four thousand people had perished.
He paid rich tributes to the military leadership for carrying out relief and rescue operation in the floods-hit areas.
INP