Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar Friday vowed to not let anyone embezzle the funds for construction of dams to resolve the country’s water crisis. Stressing the need for building dams to overcome acute water shortage, the top judge in his remarks during a case hearing observed that the Supreme Court had appealed [to the public] to gather funds for immediate construction of Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

“We will not let anyone [misappropriate] these funds. The funds will be guarded. We will not allow the people to buy houses and cars from this money,” the chief justice remarked.

CJP Nisar had earlier donated Rs 1 million to the account created solely for the purpose of raising money for the construction of the dams. His donation is the first contribution to the said account, according to a press release on the Supreme Court’s website dated July 5, 2018.

The account was opened by the Finance Division of the government of Pakistan under the Supreme Court’s order.

The apex court had appealed to the nation for making contributions, whether in foreign or local currencies, directly to the account. The payments into this fund will be received at all branches of the State Bank of Pakistan, all treasuries and branches of the National Bank of Pakistan, and all other scheduled banks.

The chief justice remarked that the Supreme Court’s website would be updated every hour so that the public might know how much funds had been collected.

He further remarked that the court had asked the State Bank to share the information on its website as well. On Wednesday, an apex court bench, headed by the CJP, directed the federal and provincial governments, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and all executive authorities to take necessary steps to immediately star work on the two dams.

Published in Daily Times, July 7^th 2018.