PESHAWAR
\nFormer Federal Minister Salim Saifullah Khan has urged the federal and provincial governments to immediately prioritize the completion of the Kurram Tangi Dam and warned that further delay will deprive the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of vital water and energy resources.
\nIn a statement issued here on Friday, he said that more than 150 years ago, even the British administration had identified the need for this dam. While Phase-I has been completed, he regretted that Phase-II remains stalled due to lack of funding. \u201cThe government should release funds without delay and ensure that work begins at the earliest,\u201d he stressed.
\nMr. Saifullah Khan noted that once completed, the project would generate 84 megawatts of electricity and irrigate 350,000 acres of farmland, transforming agriculture in the southern districts. He added that with serious commitment, the dam could be completed within two to three years.
\nReferring to recent floods, he said that if we had completed such dams earlier, we could have saved ourselves from devastation and secured water for future use.
\nHe also called for immediate attention to the Gomal Zam Dam and other small and medium dams in the region.
\nCiting meteorological forecasts of 22% higher rainfall next year, Mr. Saifullah Khan warned that advance planning is must. \u201cThis is high-time for the government to act. By building dams, we can store water, produce cheap electricity, and protect our people from floods,\u201d he said.
\nHe concluded that the government has a unique opportunity to bring sustainable development to the southern belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, boost food security, and strengthen the country\u2019s resilience against climate change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Former Federal Minister Salim Saifullah Khan has urged the federal and provincial governments to immediately prioritize the completion of the Kurram Tangi Dam and warned that further delay will deprive the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of vital water and energy resources. In a statement issued here on Friday, he said that more than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-499843","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n