(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Diamer-Bhasha Dam will generate low-cost environment friendly hydel power in the country.

Addressing a public gathering in Chilas after visiting the dam site on Wednesday, he said Diamer Bhasha Dam will not affect climate and will be the third largest dam of the country. Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and DG ISI Lt. General Faiz Hameed were also present on the occasion.

The PM maintained, "The plan to construct the dam was envisaged 40 years ago, but work on it is being started today."

Diamer Bhasha commencement of construction a ‘historic milestone’, says Bajwa

He said, "We will neither have to import fuel for this project nor it will be harmful as far as global warming is concerned."

Imran highlighted Pakistan has huge potential for hydel power, which needs to be tapped. He said the government will also launch other hydel power projects.

He pointed out the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam will change the fate of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan by creating employment opportunities for them. "The tourism sector in the region will also get promoted with the implementation of the mega project."

Diamer Bhasha dam, which is a mega project of national importance, was all set for physical implementation after issuance of Letter of Acceptance (LoA) to the contractors for award of main contract amounting to Rs442 billion by Wapda on May 4, 2020.

The contract of consultancy services of the project amounting to Rs 27.182 billion had also been awarded on May 11, 2020, and a total amount of Rs 39.088 billion was required in the current financial year to pay for the mobilization advance to the contractor as well as the consultants.

Though Chinese company is part of a joint venture in the Diamer Bhasha Dam Project, China had refused to fund the project on the plea that since Asian Development Bank and World Bank are reluctant to be part of the project is disputed territory, it cannot also fund the project.