In a recent interview in Lahore, Punjab Mines and Mineral Minister Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan has also agreed to the fact that sustainable energy is the key to a sustainable future. Moonis Elahi, a young prominent politician and a leader of PMLQ, has always raised his voice in favor of Kalabagh Dam which guarantees sustainable energy. The controversial dam has been maligned by many politicians who are known to be in good books with the neighboring country India. It is widely speculated being funded by the neighbor country, these politicians have started a drive to misguide the nation about the dam and refrain it from becoming a reality which in fact would be a blessing to the country.
At the inaugural session of consultative meeting titled "Sustainable Energy for All" by the UNDP, it was discussed that Pakistan is one of the most important countries of the world and it is time it should seriously think about sustainable energy. The need for a cheap means to obtain electricity is the need of the hour and the entire nation stands firm on it, but unless all fears and misconceptions are cleared, obtaining a reliable source would not be seen happening. Moonis Elahi has been urging the government to call a meeting where the heads of all political parties from the country would be called and strictly debate about Kalabagh Dam.
The Sustainable Energy for All aims at tackling the Goal - 7 of SDG's through a 3 pronged approach. It is a good initiative taken by the minister but Moonis Elahi fears it might just be table talk because the PMLN government does not initiate projects that would not benefit them directly. While the Nandipur Power Project turned out to be no more productive than the National Action Plan of incumbent government, it was a huge fiasco and billions of Rupees were wasted on it. The country still faces 8 - 12 hours of load shedding in the summer in urban areas whereas in the villages they are lucky to get 4 hours of electricity a day.
Moonis Elahi pointed out the fact that progressive countries like China and USA are still busy in constructing more dams over their rivers although they do not face the menace of load shedding. But due to some corrupt politicians the one and only dam which could be built after 60 years with minimum cost bearing is made controversial. Without dams Pakistan would soon be one of those countries that are constantly thirsty. If water becomes scarce, not only wouldn't we be deprived of water to drink, there would be no water to irrigate our lands and run factories.
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