Construction of dams necessary for survival of the country: CJ

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday remarked that "the Supreme Court will be ahead of everyone in the construction of dams as they are necessary for survival of the country.

The Chief Justice said that Kalabagh Dam will be built at any cost adding, "I do not know if this dam will be constructed in my life or not but the Superior Court will make the very first contribution in building this dam”.

The Chief Justice said this while heading a three member bench hearing a plea in connection with construction of Kalabagh Dam.

During course of proceedings, while addressing Malik Riaz, a property tycoon, he said "I will take money from Malik and give for building the dams.

To this Aitzaz Ahsan counsel for Malik Riaz pleaded that court should consider the reservations of the parties which were against the construction of Kalabagh Dam. Justice Nisar said construction of dams would be top priority of the Superior Court however we should first focus on the dams that were not controversial.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice asked former chairman Wapda, Engineer Shamsul Mulk to guide on the matter as only experts could find out better solution of the issue.

Explaining the benefits, Shamsul Mulk cited China generating around 30,000 megawatts of electricity from dams. “Even India has more than 4,000 dams,” he said. “We lose billions due to the non-construction of dams.”

He pleaded for giving Kalabagh Dam’s control to Sindh as they have reservations that they would not be fully facilitated with benefits of the Dam.

The Chief Justice said that all four provinces will benefit from construction of new dams. It is not about Kalabagh Dam, it is about Pakistan and "I will call it Pakistan Dam rather Kalabagh Dam", the Chief Justice added.

Justice Nisar said that seminars should be conducted for the awareness and importance of Kalabagh Dam, nothing would be wrong if the Dam was constructed however four provinces have to react like four brothers, if some one sacrifice for the betterment of whole family, it should be obliged he added.

Media should play its role in awareness of the importance of dams in the country, he expressed.

Subsequently, the court adjourned further hearing of the case and hold a seminar on Water Crisis and Construction of Dams in the Supreme Court building and said that It is the duty of the Supreme Court to enforce fundamental rights. We will take the dams issue seriously, the Chief Justice said.