Chief justice stresses the importance of water conservation, dam creation

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday stressed that arduous measures need to be taken in order to avert the water crisis facing Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

Addressing the opening session of a two-day international symposium titled Creating a water secure Pakistan in Islamabad, the chief justice said that it is unfortunate that no one in Pakistan made any dedicated efforts to construct dams and water reservoirs in the past 40 years.

He said that water reserves in Pakistan have decreased to an alarmingly low level and if drastic measures are not taken now, Pakistan could run dry by 2025.

Justice Nisar said the judiciary could not have remained oblivious to the issue as it has the obligation to protect the interests of the citizens.

He said that the judiciary took this issue and passed a judgement, urging the executive to play its role for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam.

Justice Nisar said the dam fund was created as the country did not have the capital required to construct large dams.

"There was an overwhelming response from the public and even children and pensioners made contributions to this fund," he told the attendees of the symposium.

The chief justice added that the sensitisation of the issue at a national level has made the nation realise the importance of water conservation and management.

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Mohsin

Oct 19, 2018 05:56pm

Kala bagh dam should also be considered asap

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Orakzai

Oct 19, 2018 06:16pm

Water crisis, comes and goes, no need to be worried, by 2025 there will be sufficient in raining and water level below the ground will improve significantly.

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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA

Oct 19, 2018 06:49pm

Hats off to our Hon. CJP, a lone crusader, who having vision and understanding of magnanimity of problem of this water stressed country, heading fast to become a water starved one by 2025. He has been instrumental in promoting national cause of building storage dams. He is absolutely right in saying that as head of an institution destined with safeguarding interest of this country poor & underprivileged, he can’t remain oblivious & indifferent. Although, this Rs.1450B dam can’t be built by donations alone, but the universal response of the general public, which for all practical puprposes is a referendum, shows the trust & faith of common man in a just cause. This dam which has a long gestation period to become operational, needs to be supplemented with prudently required water conservation practices- adoption of sprinkular or drip irrigation visa vis flooding, land leveling, lining of water channels, improving drainage, reuse of treated wastewater, recycling of water industry & others

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NACParis

Oct 19, 2018 06:57pm

I hope that tenure of CJ should be extended for one more year for the sake and welfare of Pakistan. If he refuses to take the extension the government should appoint him as a chairman of NAB or a chair person of water conservation ministry.

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What about me

Oct 19, 2018 07:20pm

Large dams are not solution, ask independent experts.

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M. Saeed

Oct 19, 2018 07:50pm

The Chief Justice of Pakistan has started a campaign to save Pakistan from water starvation due to already existing serious water shortage in the country.For this, he must open a web-site for inviting proposals from the people who have possible ideas to save water. It would be a great help to his very commendable effort.

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Lut Mohmand

Oct 19, 2018 08:28pm

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar is trying to do the right thing for the country. Most people do not even try.

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Feisal Rahimtoola

Oct 19, 2018 09:07pm

Wish water management experts did not have ideas to solve the water crisis through network of many smaller, spread out dams/ water processing. Also wish rate of donation collection was fast enough to raise required capital within 2 - 3 years.

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Magnanimous approach

Oct 19, 2018 09:14pm

CJP Saqib Nisar must be awarded a Presidential Award for such an exemplary initiative. CJP felt psychologically pain and hurt, when he foresees the future of dry Pak, the initiative is still not late, let’s join hand together and see the dream as reality of enough Dams to serve Pak, people only need Dams, whatever name you give, perhaps one Dam be named as “ Saqib Nisar Dam” we can’t give anything to CJP, atleast can name one Dam to appreciate his efforts.

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Khanm

Oct 19, 2018 09:54pm

Says it is unfortunate that no one made any efforts to construct dams and water reservoirs in the past 40 years.they were too busy minting money...and no quedtion being asked...besides they have plenty of reservoirs of money they can afford mineral waters from France..

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cautious

Oct 19, 2018 11:37pm

Admirable goal but Judges can't be seen as promoter's of projects which are lighting rods of litigation. Dam building create complex issues affecting placement, environment, ownership right and a host of other issues associated with long term mult Billion projects. Like or not CJP has to rely on the elected govt to handle these things ... and I would suggest that he focus his attention on things that are directly under his purview -- like fixing our broken judicial system.

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A Patriotic National

Oct 20, 2018 08:17am

Salam Sir: Records will prove that previous governments also wanted to build Dams, but each time one province or the other will have an issue! Law Makers defeated each and every effort of the ruling party! Objective reporting may be more appreciated rather than blanked blame on those, who cannot defend it!

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Yousuf47 London

Oct 20, 2018 09:39am

It is universal that people are engaged as to why conservation is essential and with a vibrant media the Pakistani people need to be made aware of how small changes in their lives could go a long way to achieve what the Court has outlined of urgent need to conserve water. In addition, water meters should be introduced in every home so charges are consumption based as in many European countries including United Kingdom

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M. Saeed

Oct 20, 2018 07:56pm

Where is Indus Basin Reservoir? The gigantic water storage dam that can impound all the floods in the country and has capacity to store two complete yearly floods to fill its capacity and we will forget forever having flood devastation again.

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Danish

Oct 20, 2018 11:18pm

If Cj do everything than what's the point of elected Gov. Sack the Gov and aopoint CJ as a chief executive of Pakistan. It will save lot of money spending on useless ministers and PM.

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