PM orders removal of barriers to expedite Diamer-Bhasha Dam project

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the immediate removal of all hurdles in the way of Diamer-Bhasha Dam and ordered that the project be completed on a priority basis, terming it essential for the country’s economic self-reliance.

Chairing a high-level meeting on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other national water resources, the premier said that Pakistan’s path to economic stability lies in cheap electricity and agricultural productivity, which depend on efficient water management and increased storage capacity.

“Our economic self-reliance hinges on affordable energy and a flourishing agriculture sector. To achieve this, enhancing water reserves and their effective utilisation is crucial,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would not only provide a stable and sustainable source of power but also play a critical role in flood prevention and ensuring year-round water supply for agriculture.

The premier instructed authorities to remove all administrative, legal, and logistical impediments to the project’s completion and ensure its fast-tracked implementation.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, was attended by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Water Resources Moin Wattoo, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Inter-Provincial Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Gulbar Khan, and senior officials concerned.

The forum stressed that increasing water storage is no longer optional, but a necessity, given the challenges of climate change, declining water tables, and the country’s dependence on agriculture.

Earlier updates from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) reported significant progress on the dam’s construction, including the successful diversion of the Indus River — a major milestone that allows further development of the dam’s main structure.

The Prime Minister reiterated that projects like the Diamer-Bhasha Dam were indispensable for a sustainable future. “New dams are essential not just to produce power, but to store water for agriculture and to protect people from the devastating impacts of floods,” he said.

With Pakistan facing recurrent climate-related disasters and a growing energy crisis, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam — once completed — is expected to store 8.1 million acre-feet of water and generate 4,500 megawatts of electricity, according to official estimates.