Pir Pagara, the spiritual leader of Hurs and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, told his disciples on Monday that they should contribute funds for the construction of Diamer-Basha and Mohmand dams.

Pir Pagara made the announcement while on a three-day spiritual and political tour to Sanghar. He said that the country has been facing acute shortage of water and that the situation will further worsen in the next four to five years.

He claimed that farmers in Sindh have been worried for the provision of water to their agriculture fields, however, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari's fields were provided adequate water.

During a hearing earlier this month, the Supreme Court had observed that water resources were crucial for survival and directed the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to build two dams — Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand. Furthermore, it had appealed to the general public, including Pakistanis residing abroad, to donate for the cause.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Finance on July 5 opened an account under the title of “DIAMER-BHASHA AND MOHMAND DAM FUND –2018”.

The account was opened in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s order to the federal government, Wapda and the executive authority to take effective measures in light of unanimous decisions of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to develop the 4,500MW Bhasha dam and 700MW Mohmand dam.

The account bears Account No.03-593-299999-001-4 and IBN No.PK06SBPP0035932999990014 for raising funds for the construction of the two dams. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar has formally deposited Rs1 million as a donation in the account from his personal account.

An SC announcement says that payments in the 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.

On July 7, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) management requested its staff to donate to funds for the construction of dams. Pims Executive Director Dr Raja Amjad issued a circular, stating that the staff should donate funds for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.