LOWER DIR: Irrigation minister Aqibullah Khan visited the under-construction Sanam Dam in Asbanr area here the other day and announced that 76 per cent of work had been completed, with the reservoir achieving full operational status by December 2025.

He was accompanied by special assistant to the chief minister on prisons Humayun Khan and MPA Ubaidur Rehman.

Mr Aqibullah said the dam would revolutionise agriculture in the Adenzai region, helping resolve chronic water scarcity and boosting the underground water table. “This is a joint initiative of provincial and federal governments, and it will also open up employment opportunities for locals,” he said, adding compensation for affected landowners would be finalised soon.

Highlighting broader irrigation development in the province, he noted that 36 dam projects were currently underway, with eight already completed.

Later in the day, Aqibullah along with Humayun Khan and Adenzai tehsil chairman Feroz Shah visited the University of Malakand. During their tour of the Centre for Computational Material Science, the delegation reviewed advanced research infrastructure, including a high-performance supercomputer.

They lauded the contributions of Prof Iftikhar Ahmad, the centre’s chairman, for his leadership in promoting cutting-edge research.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2025