Making of a Dam

The serious drought in last three years has killed most of life stock and orchards, the only livelihood of people, in the remote Pakistani district of Zhob bordering Afghanistan.

A team of Human Development Foundation (HDF), led by Cochairman Dr. Nasim Ashraf visited different areas of Zhob in July 2000. Various meetings were held by the HDF Chairman during this visit with the local people to acquaint himself with their problems. The main objective of these meetings was to identify the most urgently needed project in this district.

The local people pointed out many problems. However, at the end of these meetings there was a unanimous consensus that a water project was needed. The district of Zhob had been bracing for a drought-like situation for last three years due to no rains. The local economy, which heavily depends on agriculture, has received a severe set-back because of the persisting drought.

According to Ghani Marwat, HDF's Pakistan director, a joint meeting was later held with all the three sub-divisions of the Zhob district -Zhob, Kakar Khurasan and Shirani- to make a definitive decision and to come up with a permanent soulation for the water crisis.

There were different opinions regarding the solution for the water problem. Some people were of the view that new tube-wells be set up. However, a majority of the participants were in favor of constructing a dam. After a thorough discussion, the idea of the dam was approved by the participants in the meeting. The participants unanimously voted for Shahabzai village, located at 22 Kilometers from Zhob city and 722 Kilometers from Karachi, for the location of the dam.

"Shahabzai is an ideal place for a dam", Mr. Murwat said. "The selected place is naturally encircled on three sides by the mountains, and is open from its slope, where the rainy water from nearby mountains could gather easily."

The land selected for the dam was the property of a local small landlord who donated it for the purpose. Asked whether landlord demanded for anything (money or alternative land) against his property, Mr. Murwat said "No, nothing. He did not ask for anything. Even he was thankful to us that we are assisting his brothers and sisters to get rid of this long-standing problem."

The initial estimated cost of this project was Rs 500,000 (8,000 US Dollars), however, it had to be raised to Rs 2.2 million ( 35,000 US Dollars) due to various reasons.

"The first reason was a increase in diesel prices. We hired a bulldozer to level the land which used to require 4 to 5 gallon diesel in an hour", Mr. Murwat said, adding "similarly there was also an increase in wages of laborers and other expenses."

In spite of the quadrupling of the estimated budget, the dam cost only one eighth the cost of similar dams built by the government in Baluchistan.

The dam stands as testimony of the commitment of Pakistani Americans. To help Pakistanis help themselves through community involvement is HDF's main strategy.

Millions of Rupees were raised for drought relief in Pakistan, HDF also raised funds from Pakistani Americans for this purpose. However, HDF, based on its philosophy of helping people help themselves, used the drought funds to develop a lasting solution with the help of the affected community.

All praise is due to Allah.

Aamir Latif