Says the money was never intended to be used 100% for building
Islamabad (Pakistan Point News – 23rd February, 2019) Former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has said that he knew the donations collected for dams fund would never be enough to construct a dam.
“The dam fund was mainly aimed at spreading awareness,” the former CJP said while responding to a question at Lahore Literary Festival.
“We wanted to make people understand how important the water issue is. If through this donation we are able to generate another Rs15 billion then that is an achievement. This money was never intended to be used 100% for building; however, it really became a campaign,” he said.
Nisar said that people were excited when he proposed the idea of the dam fund at a conference.
“People have been coming to me to donate their entire lives’ pension. Small children came to me. There was an enthusiasm. I’m sure it will continue,” he added.
The former CJP had established a Supreme Court of Pakistan Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund on July 10, 2018 to raise funds for the construction of Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams.
The Court supervised the fund and its Registrar operates its account directly.
Later, the Prime Minister of Pakistan announced to join efforts with the Chief Justice of Pakistan for the cause. Accordingly, the fund was renamed as "Prime Minister and Chief Justice of Pakistan Fund for Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam".
The campaign had gained momentum not only in Pakistan but also in other countries where Pakistanis were living in large numbers, who themselves were contributing massively towards the cause in terms of money and time, but were collecting funds from others also.
The Prime Minister and Chief Justice of Pakistan Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund has so far received over Rs 9 billion.
