Suggest alternative strategy for addressing virus: Asad urges opposition

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has urged the opposition to suggest an alternative strategy for addressing the country’s coronavirus outbreak.

Addressing the National Assembly session today (Monday), the planning minister said, “What does opposition want from the government? A lockdown?”

Citing the example of India, he said, “In March, Modi imposed a strict lockdown without prior warning, and look at what happened,” adding, “The economy was affected, millions slept hungry and migrant workers were forced to walk back home. India still couldn’t contain the outbreak.”

Commenting on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, he announced that the Diamer-Bhasha Dam will be completed by 2027. “Rs 30 billion have already been spent on resettlement process for Diamer Bhasha Dam,” he added.

He further said that Diamer Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, and Dasu Dam would improve the capacity of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) by 80 percent.

The government was also taking measures for improving water supply to Balochistan areas and has already approved development work on Naulong Dam,” he claimed

It is worth mentioning here that the federal government planned to earmark Rs 177.512 billion for dams and hydropower projects in the budget for the fiscal year 2020-21.