PESHAWAR:
Federal Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Moin Wattoo, has issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt Pakistan’s water supply, calling such actions “an act of war.” He emphasized that the government will not tolerate any infringement on the country’s water rights.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Mohmand Dam Phase-II, the minister underscored the critical role of water in Pakistan’s survival and progress.
“No one has the right to take our water. Blocking it is equivalent to waging war against us,” Wattoo stated firmly.
He referenced the Indus Waters Treaty, affirming that both Pakistan and India are legally bound to honor its terms.
“This is a binding agreement with full legal validity. Its suspension or violation will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” he warned.
Progress on Mohmand Dam
Wattoo noted that construction of the Mohmand Dam is advancing rapidly and is projected to be completed by 2027 or 2028. However, he assured the public that the government is striving to complete it ahead of schedule.
He also praised the contributions of Chinese engineers working on the project.
“It is truly commendable that Chinese engineers are working day and night to ensure timely completion of this crucial infrastructure,” he said.
Wattoo reiterated the government’s commitment to allocating all available resources to ensure swift completion of the dam.
Economic and Environmental Impact
Once operational, the Mohmand Dam will generate 800 megawatts of clean, affordable hydropower and will bring thousands of acres of land under irrigation. It is expected to significantly improve the local economy by creating jobs and boosting agricultural productivity.
WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd.) Sajjad Ghani was also present at the ceremony.
Located on the Swat River in the Mohmand District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Dam is poised to be the fifth-largest Concrete Face Rock-Filled Dam (CFRD) in the world, standing at 213 meters high. It will have a storage capacity of 1.29 million acre-feet, bringing 18,233 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda districts under cultivation, while also supporting irrigation for another 160,000 acres of existing farmland.
