NA told cost of Mohmand and Dasu dams surges to Rs24 trillion

Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources has informed the National Assembly that the estimated cost of the Mohmand and Dasu dam hydropower projects has risen dramatically from around Rs800 billion to nearly Rs2.4 trillion.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the ministry submitted detailed documents to parliament outlining sharp increases in the revised construction costs of both projects.

The report stated that the estimated cost of the Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project has increased from Rs309.55 billion to Rs665.74 billion, reflecting an increase of more than Rs356 billion.

Officials said the original project estimate had been approved under the PC-I document on the basis of which contracts were awarded. However, the revised estimated cost now stands at Rs665,743,000, while the updated PC-I is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Dasu Hydropower Project has witnessed an even steeper rise in costs. According to the ministry, the original estimate approved in 2014 under the PC-I framework stood at Rs486.09 billion.

The revised estimated cost of the Dasu project has now climbed to approximately Rs1.737 trillion, representing an increase of nearly Rs1.251 trillion.

Officials informed the assembly that the second revised PC-I for the Dasu project was approved by the National Economic Council in December 2025.

The ministry also disclosed that allocations for the welfare and development of local communities affected by the projects had been significantly increased under the revised plans.

For the Mohmand Dam project, funds allocated for local population development were initially set at Rs160 million but have now been raised to Rs4.5 billion under the revised PC-I.

Similarly, allocations for community development under the Dasu Dam project have increased from Rs7 billion to Rs57 billion.

Reporter: Rozina Ali