CCI unanimously approves construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

ISLAMABAD, Jul 18 (APP): The Council of Common Interests (CCI) which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday at Prime Minister House unanimously passed a resolution approving the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam. The resolution reflects national consensus, said the Prime Minister, and would send a positive signal for the future progress and prosperity of the country.The CCI was apprised that the Diamer-Bhasha Dam on completion in 2019, would have the water storage capacity of 6.4 MAF and would produce 4500 MW of electricity.
It was also mentioned that the dam would pay back its cost within eight years after its completion.
Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister gave special directions to the Ministry of Water & Power to develop a scheme for development of infrastructure to support the early completion of Thar Coal Project.
He further directed that the Ministry of Railways give detailed briefing on making Railways a viable entity and also asked the Statistics Division for briefing on the Population Census in the next meeting of the CCI.
The CCI which met for the first time after the passage of 18th Amendment took up five agenda items and passed the rules and procedures for the newly constituted CCI.
As per the Constitution, the CCI was required to meet within the prescribed timeframe of 90 days after the enactment of 18th Amendment.
The CCI was given a detailed briefing by Mian Raza Rabbani, Chairman Implementation Commission on the stage of implementation of 18th Amendment and the work so far undertaken by the Commission.
The meeting took note of the NEPRA’s Annual Report 2008-09 and the Statement of Industries Report 2009.
The Council constituted a Sub-committee to submit its report within one month on the working and functioning of NEPRA within the constitution.
The said sub-committee comprises Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, Arbab Alamgir Khan Minister for Communications, Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd, Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development and Mian Raza Rabbani.
The four Chief Ministers of the provinces shall also name their nominees for the said committee.
As regards Intellectual Property Organization’s summary seeking provincial support for implementation of Intellectual Property Rights, the Council directed that the summary be resubmitted after consultation with the provinces incorporating appropriate proposed changes in the law.
The meeting was attended by all its members including: Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister KPK Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, Syed Naveed Qamar Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources and Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd Minister for Livestock & Dairy Development. Mian Raza Rabbani attended the meeting as special invitee.