RECORDER REPORT

FAISALABAD: Shabbir Hussain Chawla, president, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), has welcomed the decision of Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar to start immediate construction of two major dams in order to save Pakistan from water aggression by India and to ensure sufficient water and cheap electricity for the future generations of Pakistan.

In a statement issued here Tuesday, he said Pakistan economy was facing multiple problems including shortage of water and electricity. He said that during last few decades Pakistan was worst hit by the menace of loadshedding and as a result of it, two percent decline in GDP growth was witnessed. “On the other hand the costly electricity also had negative impact on the national exports,” he added.

Mentioning the available statistics, Shabbir Hussain Chawla said the widening gap between import and exports had posed serious threat to the viability of national economy. “It also triggered depreciation of Pakistan rupee which is the main cause of inflation and declined in exports,” he said, adding that high cost of doing business had further increased the prices of exportable surplus which had become uncompetitive in the international markets. He further said that decline in exports also slowed down the industrial growth which was directly linked with the issue of unemployed.

He appreciated the vision of CJ who had taken in time decision to construct two major dams including Diamar Bhasha and Mohmand Dam. He further said that CJ had himself donated Rs 1 million for its construction instead of restricting to only lip service. He said it is very encouraging that other sectors are also following the footprints of Mian Saqib Nisar and are donating generously and voluntary for these dams. “Various banks have also opened special accounts to receive the donations,” he said, adding the amount collected would be directly supervised by the CJ himself.

President FCCI has also made a humble appeal to FCCI members and local businessmen to donate for the construction of these dams so that the future needs of water and electricity could be fulfilled satisfactorily. However, Shabbir Hussain Chawla demanded that separate bank accounts should also be opened for Bhasha, Muohmand and Kala Bagh Dam so that people could voluntarily donate for the dam of their own choice and preference. “It will also serve as an independent referendum that which dam is the first priority and choice of the people of Pakistan,” he added.

Continuing Chawla said Kala Bagh dam is the matter of life and death for Pakistan which is unnecessarily exploited politically by vested interests. He said the dam will not only generate cheap electricity but also provide millions of acres of water to bring un-reclaimed land under plough in all the four provinces. He said that Kala Bagh Dam would also tame the torrent floods which are damaging the infrastructure in addition to the displacement of rural population every year.