Country needs dollars for dams

Will the overseas Pakistanis positively respond to prime minister Imran Khan’s fundraising appeal for construction of dams in Pakistan? This question has no easy answer although Imran Khan as a cricketer has a success story in the shape of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital. But this time around his is a noble endeavour; it is perhaps nobler than the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital. He has urged the overseas Pakistanis to donate for ‘Dam Fund’ to help the government construct dam, as the country is heading towards a serious water crisis. The prime minister in a brief televised address named the existing dam fund set up by the Chief Justice of Pakistan as Chief Justice-Prime Minister Fund and appealed to the overseas Pakistanis to donate at least $ 1000 or more for it to help the country construct dams. Water scarcity is going to be a major problem of the country with experts warning drought by 2025.

The government, however, is required to work out some incentives for Pakistani expatriates in recognition of their services that they have been rendering for the motherland.

Karachi Ehsan Khan