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Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
WAPDA issuesinflow, outflow data for water reservoirs
A destitute couple braves the polluted waters of Nullah Leh in Rawalpindi, searching for discarded items to salvage in Dhok Ratta, Rawalpindi. PHOTO: AGHA MAHROZ/EXPRESS The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has issued inflow and outflow data of water in rivers and water reservoirs. According to statistics issued by Wapda, the water inflow at Tarbela Dam in Indus River was recorded at 1,76,600 cusec and outflow at 1,26,900 cusec, while the water inflow and outflow at Nowshera in Kabul River was registered at 43,000 cusec and 43,000 cusec. Likewise, water inflow and outflow at Khairabad Bridge stood at 1,36,900 cusec and 1,36,900 cusec; inflow and outflow at Mangla in Jhelum River, 43,300 cusec and 18,000 cusec; inflow and outflow at Marala in Chenab, 46,100 cusec and 20,400 cusec. The minimum operating level of Tarbela Dam was recorded at 1402 feet, current level of water in the reservoir at 1473.21 feet, and the maximum level of water storage at 1,550 feet. Similarly, the minimum operating level of Mangla was recoded at 1050 feet, current level of water in the reservior at 1154.90 feet, and the maximum level of water storage at 1,242 feet. In addition, the minimum operating level of Chashma Barrage was recorded as 638.15 feet, current level of water in the reservoir at 644.40 feet, and the maximum level of water storage at 649 feet. The recent escalation between Pakistan and India has brought the water reservoirs into limelight as India threatened to suspend the World Bank-brokered Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Minister inaugurates Mohmand Dam Phase II
WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (r) Sajjad Ghani briefs Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the impact of the recent flood in Swat River on the diversion tunnels of Mohmand Dam Project. PHOTO: PML-N/@pmln_org Federal Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Moin Wattoo, has issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt Pakistan's water supply, calling such actions "an act of war." He emphasized that the government will not tolerate any infringement on the country's water rights. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Mohmand Dam Phase-II, the minister underscored the critical role of water in Pakistan's survival and progress. "No one has the right to take our water. Blocking it is equivalent to waging war against us," Wattoo stated firmly. He referenced the Indus Waters Treaty, affirming that both Pakistan and India are legally bound to honor its terms. "This is a binding agreement with full legal validity. Its suspension or violation will not be tolerated under any circumstances," he warned. Progress on Mohmand Dam Wattoo noted that construction of the Mohmand Dam is advancing rapidly and is projected to be completed by 2027 or 2028. However, he assured the public that the government is striving to complete it ahead of schedule. He also praised the contributions of Chinese engineers working on the project. "It is truly commendable that Chinese engineers are working day and night to ensure timely completion of this crucial infrastructure," he said. Wattoo reiterated the government's commitment to allocating all available resources to ensure swift completion of the dam. Economic and Environmental Impact Once operational, the Mohmand Dam will generate 800 megawatts of clean, affordable hydropower and will bring thousands of acres of land under irrigation. It is expected to significantly improve the local economy by creating jobs and boosting agricultural productivity. WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd.) Sajjad Ghani was also present at the ceremony. Located on the Swat River in the Mohmand District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Dam is poised to be the fifth-largest Concrete Face Rock-Filled Dam (CFRD) in the world, standing at 213 meters high. It will have a storage capacity of 1.29 million acre-feet, bringing 18,233 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda districts under cultivation, while also supporting irrigation for another 160,000 acres of existing farmland.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Construction of Mohmand Dam to be completed by 2027-28
LAHORE: WAPDA achieved yet another landmark on Mohmand Dam Project, as construction work has commenced on the Main Dam. Prior to achieving this landmark, several pre-requisites such as river diversion, up and downstream starter (coffer) dams, dam plinth and excavation of left and right abutments and dam foundations were completed. Mohmand Dam is scheduled for completion in 2027-28. Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo visited Mohmand Dam Project to mark the occasion. Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (retd) also accompanied him. The GM/PD Mohmand Dam along with his team and Project Managers of the Consultants and the Contractors were also present on the occasion. The Federal Minister had a detailed visit of the key sites and observed construction activities going on there. These sites included Diversion System, Power Intake Tunnel, Main Dam, Spillway and Power House. During on-the-sites briefings, the Federal Minister was apprised by the Project Team that construction work is continuing on 14 different sites. The Federal Minister was also briefed about the site-wise progress on the Project. The Federal Minister expressed satisfaction over the progress on the Project. He said that the Federal Government is fully cognizant of the increasing needs of water and affordable electricity in the country, that is why, WAPDA and Ministry of Water Resources have been making all out efforts for completion of the under construction mega projects. Mohmand Dam, being amongst these projects, will help fulfilling requirements of water and low-cost electricity in Pakistan. He hoped that WAPDA would complete Mohmand Dam and other projects as per their timelines. The Ministry of Water Resources will provide full support for the purpose, the Minister added. Mohmand Dam Project being constructed across River Swat, in Tribal District Mohmand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The 213-meter Mohmand Dam is the 5th highest concrete faced-rock fill dam (CFRD) in the world. It has a gross water storage capacity of 1.29 MAF sufficient to irrigate 18,233 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda, besides supplementing irrigation supplies to 160,000 acres of existing land. With installed power capacity of 800 MW, the Project will provide 2.86 billion units of green, clean and affordable hydel electricity to the National Grid annually. It will not only help save Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera from flooding but also provide 300 million gallons water per day to Peshawar for drinking purpose. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'India stonewalling water talks'
A National Assembly panel was told on Wednesday that while the Pakistan Commission on Indus Waters (PCIW) is tasked with engaging New Delhi on transboundary water issues, the dialogue table has remained empty for the past two years due to India's reluctance to come to the negotiating table. The NA Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Ahmad Ateeq Anwar, convened for an in-depth briefing on the country's key hydropower projects and the growing strain caused by India's repeated disregard for treaty obligations. Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Muneer Wattoo, Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani, former WAPDA chairman Shakil Durrani and Pakistan's Indus Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah were in attendance. The agenda included updates on the under-construction Dasu and Mohmand Dam projects, along with the status of the NeelumJhelum Hydropower Project. Addressing the panel, the water resources secretary noted that while the PCIW holds the brief for initiating talks with India over shared water resources, there has been radio silence from across the border. "The Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended," the secretary affirmed, adding that "we will take India's violations to international arbitration and other global forums". He asserted that under the treaty, Pakistan holds full rights over the three western rivers, while India may only use a limited quantity for domestic and agricultural purposes and generate hydropower without altering the river flow. "India cannot divert the flow of rivers," he added. Committee chairman Ahmad Atiq Anwar directed that the committee be briefed on six canal projects, responding to a request by Dawar Kundi. Minister Wattoo added, "Whenever the committee wishes, we will arrange a visit to the Dasu Dam site and facilitate meetings with affected communities." Wattoo called for discussions on India's water aggression and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, noting that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had already resolved some of the issues. In his briefing, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani disclosed that Pakistan receives 140 million acre-feet (MAF) of water annually, However, it can only store 13 MAF due to siltation. "The country has the capacity to store up to 20 MAF, but due to silt, current usable storage is limited to 13 MAF," he noted. He further explained that silt cannot simply be released, as it would damage the barrages. "Damage to the barrages could severely impact the agriculture sector," he warned.
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Jabir, Taha, Waqar, Zohaib qualify for main draw
Jabir Ali, Khizer, Ahmad Waqar, Afzal Malik, Javed, Kamran Khan, Hisashi Izumi and Muhammad Rayyan qualified for the main draw of men's singles by winning their respective matches on the opening day of 37th OGDCL Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships 2025, at S. Dilawar Abbas PTF Tennis Complex Islamabad. A total number of 32 matches were decided on the qualifying day. 24 players were accepted directly into the main draw as per PTF National Ranking whereas 8 qualifiers completed the draw of 32. The draw of Men's Singles was taken out after the completion of final round of qualifying event and the top eight seed are: Muhammad Soahib (PAF), Aqeel Khan (WAPDA), Muzammil Murtaza (Army), Yousaf Khalil (PAF), Barkatullah (Police), Abdullah Adnan (Army), Zami Zeb Khan (WAPDA) and Ahmad Nael Qureshi. The Draw of Men's Singles and Boys U-18 Singles, Boys 14&U Singles and Ladies Singles were taken out by Muhammad Arif Qureshi, ITF White Badge Referee in the presence of the players. The main draw matches of Men's Singles, Boys 14&Under, Junior 18&Under and Ladies Singles will be played on Monday 19th May 2025 at 9:00 AM, whereas Ladies Singles will be played on Clay Surface as per the special request of the Pakistan Tennis Federation. This is in view of the training of the Pakistan Women's Team for participation in the forthcoming BJKC Asia Oceania Group-II event next month in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Tariq Mehmood Murtaza Chairman and Majid Bashir President Islamabad Tennis Association in a message conveyed their best wishes to all the participants show their prowess at this tennis extravaganza. A formal opening ceremony will be held on Monday 19 May at 10:00 AM, Chairman and President, Islamabad Tennis Association will grace the occasion as Chief Guest. Following are the results: Men's Singles Qualifying (Final Round) Jabir Ali beat Gibran-ul-Haq 6-4, Ahmad Waqar beat Adil Farooq 6-1, Malik beat Abdaar Ali 6-1, Javed beat Lubaid Ahmed Khan 7-6(1), Kamran Khan beat Shahbaz 6-0, Hisashi Izumi beat Mustansir Ali Khan 6-0, beat Aqil Khan 6-3.
