Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday sought assistance from overseas Pakistanis to help overcome the “biggest issue” of water crisis in the country by donating to the dams fund set up by the Supreme Court.
“The largest problem is the water issue in the country,” Khan said in a televised address to the nation, adding that it was crucial for Pakistan to build dams as failure to do so could be detrimental to its future generations.
“Experts say if we do not make dams we will face a drought in seven years. We have to start making dams from today.”
“I want to commend Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar (for starting the dams fund), but this was not his job,” Khan said. “This was the job of civilian leaders who knew this was going to swell into a crisis but did nothing to thwart it.”
Khan urged overseas Pakistanis to contribute to the dams fund. “If every overseas Pakistani contributes to this we will be able to construct the dams and our reserves will also improve,” the Prime Minister said.
He appealed to Pakistanis in Europe and the US to contribute at least $1,000. “Pakistanis working in the Middle East and other countries can also contribute according to their capacity,” Khan said, adding that the Prime Minister’s fund for dam would be now part of Chief Justice’s fund and both will be merged.
This was Khan’s second address with the nation since assuming office. In his first address, he had outlined austerity measures and the need to tackle corruption to bring Pakistan on track.
