A.W.Mir
Professional Engineer & Chartered Land Surveyor
Chief Executive
Geomatics And Engineering Services (Pvt.) Ltd.,
All major Hydro Power and other Water Resources related projects in our country have been developed through international financing. This format is also adopted by other developing countries all over the World.
Our country at this point in time is being targeted to submission in the interest of the Western / Bully Boys including our next door monster India for the following apparent reasons, we being:
- A major Muslim country – not willing to bow to their demands.
- A nuclear power with a large enough standing battle hardened Army capable of defending any adventurous enemy.
- Close friendship / association with China.
- Willing to provide short secure access to China for trade with the Middle East and Europe through Gwadar Port.
China in return has provided financing for infrastructure development projects, there are, of course, some reservations in certain quarters about the terms of their financing.
Basha Diamer Hydropower Project on Indus been ready for construction for some time. Every effort has been made by the West via delaying tactics e.g. redoing of environmental studies through USAID grant. India has been in the forefront against the construction of this major Dam project for the simple reason that its construction will bring many benefits for the betterment of our economy e.g. cheaper hydropower, water storage beneficial for agriculture etc. India claims that it is located in the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir and they have claim on it. The World Bank, ADB and other international financing agencies do not want to displease India thus our request for loan is tied up with us obtaining NOC from India – an impossible task.
China was our next hope and we tried to rope them in but they are not as sincere and friendly as we have been made to believe by our leadership. For them there is no friendship, it is their national interest which comes first and everything else comes next. The Chinese terms and conditions for financing Bhasha Diamer Dam Project are nothing but outrageous to say the least, as we are given to understand that they demand that Pakistan Government pledge Diamer Bhasha Dam Project plus one other existing hydropower project in return for the loan. So much for our Chinese ‘Bhais’. It has been reported in the press that Nepal and Myanmar Governments have also cancelled contracts of Hydropower Projects with the Chinese, presumably for similar stiff terms of loans. We understand that Pakistan has also said NO to their terms. Well done.
In 1974, following the first Indian nuclear test, rulers of the time made a solemn pledge that we shall achieve the nuclear capability to match India, proverbial ‘saying even if the people of Pakistan had to eat grass’. Thank Goodness we did not have to actually eat grass to achieve our goal.
Similar spirit and determination is needed right now to construct Bhasha Diamer Dam Project.
We have wasted nearly ten years due to delaying tactics of the loaning agencies and let us not waste ten more years.
Compared to 1974 the people within the country and Pakistanis living abroad are far richer than ever before. It is apparent from the general living standard in the country. Poverty has not declined but money is plentiful with the upper and middle class – we need to tap these resources. Recent disclosures of hoards of money hidden abroad.
Bhasha Diamer Dam Project (BDDP) can be constructed with local financing through forming BDDP Company and floating shares on the open market. The shareholders will not be asked the sources of funding or whether tax was paid on it or not. Investors will be given dividend as soon as generation starts. It will not be run by some retired service man, nominated ‘Baboos’ or for that matter Politicians from the ruling party but by a board of professionals from the private sector like they run other successful private sector companies in the country and abroad.
Except for very specialized equipment all should be made / developed locally. It will perhaps take us longer than constructed through foreign funding but it will be done without strings in the hands of foreign ‘masters’. The biggest hurdle that we are likely to face is for the Power House equipment; here our knowhow is very limited. Specialized foreign experts of Pakistan origin or others from friendly countries can be hired for specific tasks / services. Powerhouse equipment itself will be available from suppliers on deferred payment basis.
The business chambers of the country can play a big role in the forming & running of BDDP Company.
