PPP chairman says the mega dam project is essential for Pakistan’s water security, energy needs, and economic future.
Bilawal Terms Diamer-Bhasha Dam a National Priority
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the federal government to expedite work on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, describing the project as a critical national requirement rather than merely a regional development initiative.
Addressing an election rally in Diamer ahead of the June 7 Gilgit-Baltistan elections, the PPP chairman said the project was vital for Pakistan’s long-term water and energy security.
“It is not only the right of the people of Diamer, but also a necessity for Pakistan,” he told supporters.
Criticism of India’s Water Policies
Bilawal linked the importance of the dam to ongoing concerns regarding water resources in the region, accusing the government led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using water as a political tool.
Referring to disputes surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty, he argued that Pakistan must strengthen its water storage capacity to safeguard its future needs.
The PPP chief maintained that no development project currently holds greater strategic importance than the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to use what he termed “Shehbaz speed” to ensure its early completion.
Importance of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is among Pakistan’s largest infrastructure projects.
The dam is expected to generate approximately 4,500 megawatts of electricity upon completion and is estimated to cost around $15 billion. Officials believe the project will significantly enhance Pakistan’s water storage capacity, help irrigate roughly 1.2 million acres of agricultural land, and extend the operational life of the Tarbela Dam by around 35 years.
Experts have long viewed the project as an important component of Pakistan’s efforts to address water scarcity and growing energy demands.
Bilawal Calls for Simultaneous Elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and Pakistan
Election Campaign Focuses on Gilgit-Baltistan
During the rally, Bilawal also appealed to voters to support the PPP in the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections and elect a PPP-led government in the region.
He claimed that his party had received the largest share of votes in previous elections but had not secured representation proportional to its public support.
The PPP chairman reiterated his commitment to expanding political and economic rights for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and said the region should benefit fully from the principles of decentralisation introduced through the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
Promise of Expanded Healthcare Services
Highlighting the PPP’s governance record in Sindh, Bilawal said the party had expanded access to healthcare services and established a network of public hospitals where medicines, surgeries, and transplant procedures are provided free of charge.
He pledged to pursue similar healthcare initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan if the PPP is given the opportunity to govern the region.
Remarks on Foreign Military Bases
Bilawal also addressed the issue of foreign military facilities, asserting that previous PPP governments had ended arrangements that allowed foreign powers to use military bases in Pakistan.
In an apparent criticism of former prime minister Imran Khan, he rejected claims that the PTI founder was solely responsible for refusing foreign military bases, arguing that such facilities had already been closed during an earlier PPP administration.
Campaigning Intensifies Ahead of June 7 Polls
The remarks come as political parties intensify their campaigns across Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the June 7 elections. Issues such as regional autonomy, infrastructure development, healthcare, tourism, and water security have emerged as key themes in the campaign, with major parties seeking to win support across the strategically important region.
