Pakistan is on a quest to build a dam that is help curb the water crisis in the country. There is a pressing need for a water reservoir and the country lacks sufficient funds for the cause. However, in order to build a dam, the government and the Supreme Court rather than take aid or debt from foreign entities have decided to collect the fund from the general public.
The cost for the construction of the Daimer-Bhasha dam is estimated to be Rs1.450 trillion according to the figures is provided by the briefing given by water and power officials at a hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reform. The reservoir construction is said to cost Rs650 billion, and the rest for power turbines and associated infrastructure, and land acquisition and resettlement.
As part of the campaign to raise funds, the government has taken to technology and social media in particular to raise awareness and collect funds regarding the dam. The first step taken was a SMS sent out by the Supreme Court where people can donate to the cause by giving Rs.10 to Supreme Court of Pakistan Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dam Fund by sending SMS from mobile phones to 8000.
Data revealed show that an amount of Rs.57.56 million has been received by the central bank from various users of mobile operators by end of 6th September. Consumers of Jazz contributed the amount of Rs. 29.62 million, followed by the of Telenor’s users with the contribution of Rs. 11 million. The subscribers of Ufone and Zong donated amounts of Rs. 9.1 million and Rs. 7.8 million through the SMS service.
Furthermore, the SC has also provided bank account details for donations to the dam on their website. The issue for the funds has also caught the eye of the people online and many have started social media campaigns on Facebook and Twitter to raise the money that is required.
The Resident and overseas Pakistanis have responded overwhelmingly to the national cause and have managed to donate generously and helped raise about Rs.2 billion in two months. However, the amount need is much higher and critics claim that even if people become extremely generous, it will take about 200 years to raise the required amount.
According to figures, the expatriate from the USA have contributed the highest amount i.e. Rs. 5.72 million. Whereas, Pakistanis living in UK and UAE donated amounts of Rs. 4.19 million and Rs. 4.13 million. Donations from Canada and France stand more than one million, which are Rs. 1.57 million and Rs. 1.38 million respectively.
