DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Minister for Water and Power Khwaja Muhammad Asif inaugurated the Gomal Zam Dam in South Waziristan’s militancy-ravaged Khajori Katch area on Thursday.

He was accompanied by US Ambassador Richard Olson, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah, Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority Syed Raghib Shah, Minister of State Abid Sher Ali, MNA from North Waziristan Muhammad Nazir Khan, MNA from South Waziristan Ghalib Khan and senior officials.

Khwaja Asif expressed the hope that completion of the dam would bring about a ‘green revolution’ in South Waziristan, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan and pave the way for progress and prosperity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the project would produce 17.4 megawatts of electricity and also help develop the agriculture sector.

The minister said the government was giving priority to low-cost power projects.

He said the project would also protect South Waziristan, Tank and D.I. Khan from floods.

The US ambassador said that work was under way with the help of his country on various power projects in Pakistan. He said extension work on Satpara Dam, Guddu Barrage, Tarbela and Mangla would increase electricity production by 20,000MW. He also said that the US was playing its role in strengthening Pakistan.

Governor Shaukatullah said the completion of the project was a major achievement in efforts for economic revival in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas whose people cherished peace and democracy.

He said the project would give impetus to work on Kurram Tangi dam in North Waziristan and Munda dam in Mohmand Agency.

The nation, he said, was facing an energy crisis and seeking help from friends and well-wishers to resolve it. “If we overcome this problem we will definitely move towards economic stability.”

The governor praised the Frontier Works Organisation, Wapda and the local administration for the efforts put in and sacrifices rendered by them to complete the project.