lahore- A Wapda official claimed that government is ready to allocate Rs25 billion in budget for construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam.  The official said the Water and Power Development Authority had requested for Rs30 billion but was committed Rs25 billion.
A local TV while quoting sources stated that Wapda claimed to have arranged $9 billion for the construction of Bhasha dam. A total $11 billion required for construction of multi-purposes mega dam.
Indian lobby in Washington has been actively campaigning against Diamer Bhasha Dam, asking the US and other lenders to link their assistance for the project with a no-objection certificate from New Delhi, which claims that the dam is located in the disputed territory of Gilgit-Baltistan.
“$4 billion would be derived from Asian Development Bank, $2 billion out of US, $1.50 billion at the guarantee of Ghazi Brotha Power House and $1.50 billion would be received from Friends of Democratic Pakistan.”
 It was stated that recommendations with international companies regarding dam, power house and tunnels would be finalised within 10 days and work would be started within next six months.
NNI adds: Media reports said had Bhasha Dam been built 10 years earlier then cost of construction would have been $6 billion. But the Dam which has 8,000,000 cusecs water storage and 4,500 megawatt power generation capacity now needs investment amounting to $14 billion.
Talks have been concluded on acquiring 4 billion dollars from Asian Development Bank, $2 billion from $1.50 billion against the guarantee of Ghazi Brotha power house and 1.50 billion dollars from Friends of Democratic Pakistan.