While talking to a delegation of National Security and War Course of National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad, headed by NDU Chief Instructor Major General Muhammad Naeem Ashraf visited WAPDA House and attended briefings on the water and power sectors of the country, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (retd) has said that energy and water are two cardinal sectors of the national security, which concerted efforts are needed to develop water and energy resources in the country.
Addressing the delegation, he said that WAPDA is constructing a number of projects in water and hydropower sectors including Neelum Jhelum, Tarbela 4th Extension, Golen Gol, Dasu (Stage-I), Kurram Tangi Dam and Nai Gaj Dam etc. He said that three of the under construction hydropower projects with cumulative generation capacity of 2485 MW will be completed in 2018. Besides the under construction projects, Bunji Hydropower Project with generation capacity of 7100 MW and Diamer Bhasha Dam with generation capacity of 4500 MW and gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF are among the projects which are ready for construction. He said that Diamer Bhasha Dam is the most essential project for Pakistan, being a multi-purpose project to store water and generate electricity. He said that WAPDA enjoys a very good credit rating for raising funds for its hydropower projects.
The Chairman said that apart from its services for water and power sectors, WAPDA can take pride for its contribution towards promotion of sports in Pakistan and its patronage of engineering discipline in the country.
WAPDA Advisor (Diamer Bhasha Dam Project) Dr. Izhar-ul-Haq and PEPCO General Manager (Revenue and Commercial Operation) Muhammad Saleem briefed the delegation about water and power sectors respectively. In the briefing about water and hydropower sector, the delegation was briefed about annual water flows and storage capacity, per capita availability of water, impact of climate change on water resources, water management challenges, water conservation and hydropower potential of the country. In another briefing about power sector, the delegation was appraised about power sector reforms, electricity crisis and issues relating to power sector. The delegation was also informed of the Government’s efforts to overcome the electricity shortages in the country.
Following the briefings, a question-answer session was also held, wherein the queries about water and power sectors raised by the participants were responded to. Later, WAPDA Chairman and NDU delegation head exchanged the souvenirs as memento to the visit.
NTDC Managing Director, Permanent Commissioner for Indus Waters Pakistan, WAPDA Members, WAPDA Managing Director (Administration), WAPDA Secretary, and other senior officers also attended the briefings.
