Muzamil Hussain Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) informed a Senate body on the looming water crisis in Pakistan, saying that Kalabagh Dam construction was critical in severe scarcity of water in the country.

Highlighting the prerequisite urgent development of water reservoirs, he made these observations while briefed to ‘Senate Forum for Policy Research’ on the country’s water crisis. Pakistan is fronting a severe water scarcity and Pakistan has spotted fourth on the list of 15 ‘most water- scarce nations’of the world.

The chairman said if the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam was not started in 2018, the water crisis may worsen. He also explained that the Kalabagh Dam will generate 3,600 megawatts (MW) of electricity holdingwater capacity of 6.1 million acre-feet (maf).

“Punjab is ready for obligatory sacrifices for the Kalabagh Dam,” said Mohammad Anwar Bhinder, a former lawmaker. “Considering Kalabagh Dam project ‘anti-Pakistan’ is incorrect. It will benefit the whole country,” he added statingabout the long-running political disputes over its construction.

Awami National Party leader Afrasiab Khattak said that no further discussion on ‘controversial’ project ‘rejected’ by three provinces. He regretted that each WAPDA chairman had voiced about the dam, and such discussions still taking place.

The forumdecided to send a list of suggestions about the matter to Senate approving the necessity to address the approaching water crisis. “Several water projects have been under discussion but nonehappened,” the forum said.