Islamabad: Pakistanis living and working abroad have so far contributed nearly Rs1 billion (Dh26.68 million) to an ambitious project, backed by the country’s chief justice, to build two large dams.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), between July 6 and December 06, 2018, around Rs8.46 billion was deposited by local as well as expatriate Pakistanis to support the construction of ‘The Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund’.
Of the total donations, Rs0.99 billion was donated by expatriates, while local Pakistani individuals and institutions gave away Rs7.47 billion.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar launched the fund on July 6 and was later joined by Prime Minister Imran Khan, making it a joint venture to overcome the country’s water scarcity.
Pakistanis abroad have been passionately contributing to the national cause after the prime minister appealed to the country’s estimated nine million-strong diaspora, particularly those living in European countries and the United States, to contribute at least $1,000 per head to the noble cause.
Imran warned that Pakistan could face famine-like conditions by 2025 if new water reservoirs were not built now. He also asked all Pakistanis for generous donations.
Justice Nisar also visited the United Kingdom for a fundraiser to avert the looming threat, which may invite drought in Pakistan in coming years.
Around $14 billion (Dh51.4 billion) is required for the construction of the Diamer Bhasha dam. Within Pakistan, the contributions were made through cheques, cash and mobile phone message service. An amount of Rs125 million was received through the SMS services of the four cellular companies operating in Pakistan.
Overseas Pakistanis transmitted their donations through debit and credit cards and in the SBP Nostro account and commercial banks overseas. Most of the foreign donations came from Pakistanis living in the United States which is around around Rs362 million while those in Britain gave around Rs214 million.
Pakistanis in Canada donated Rs107 million.
Other major donations were made by overseas Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia and Qatar (around Rs40 million each), Switzerland (Rs 32 million), United Arab Emirates Rs65 million, and others. The overseas Pakistanis living in several other countries also made contributions.
These states include; Afghanistan, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, China, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, Fiji, India, Ireland, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Malaysia, Netherland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, Thailand and Tunisia.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari expressed pride at the Pakistani diaspora working, syaying they always came forward to support the country in tough times.
He said the confidence of the overseas Pakistanis rose after Prime Minister Imran Khan assured he was there to serve their needs.
The official announced the constitution of Overseas Pakistanis Associates Committee, which would be mandated to raise funds until the completion of the dams. He pledged to bring in more funds from upcoming fundraisers he is scheduled to attend abroad.