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Pakistani PM calls on expatriates to donate for dam construction
ISLAMABAD, Sept 8, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan
has appealed the country’s expatriates to donate generously for construction
of dams in an effort to meet the south Asian country’s water shortage.
Imran Khan said in a message broadcasted on Friday to the nation that the
dams are vital for the country’s future generations and asked those overseas
Pakistanis, especially who live in European countries and the United States,
to contribute in the collective fund.
The newly elected prime minister said that some 8-9 million Pakistanis are
living overseas and their contribution will not only help build dams but also
improve Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves that are at a lower level.
Imran Khan assured that he will protect the donations which will be used
for the construction of dams, adding that the prime minister’s fund for dam
would now be a part of a fund started by the chief justice of Pakistan as
both will be merged.
About 1.8 billion rupees (about 14.6 million US dollars) have so far been
collected in the chief justice fund for dams, according to the prime
minister. Khan warned that Pakistan could face famine-like conditions by 2025
if dams are not constructed by now.
BSS/XINHUA/SSS/1024 hrs