July 10, 2018
KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has "pledged" Rs1.5 million to the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam fund.
Taking to Twitter, Afridi posted that he would be committing Rs500,000 from his side and Rs1 million from his foundation the Shahid Afridi Foundation towards the construction of the dams.
The former cricketer also lauded the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar's efforts for setting up the fund and promised to do his part for the country.
The top judge himself has himself donated Rs1 million to the account created solely for the purpose of raising money. The CJP's donation was the first contribution to the said account, according to a press release on the Supreme Court’s website dated July 5, 2018.
"Commendable effort by Army & #CJP on the much needed act of water preservation, through building of dams. I pledge 5 lakh & 10 lakh from @SAFoundationN, to deliver on my return. Let’s all do our bit for Pakistan to pave the way for future generations #HopeNotOut @OfficialDGISPR," he tweeted.
Earlier in the day, officers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had announced that they would contribute their three-day salary.
On Monday, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor has said officers of the Pakistan armed forces would also contribute towards the fund.
Officers of Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force will contribute two days pay while soldiers will contribute a day's pay, Major General Asif Ghafoor had tweeted.
During a hearing last week, the Supreme Court had observed that water resources were crucial for survival and directed the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to build two dams — Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand.
Furthermore, the apex court had appealed to the general public, including Pakistanis residing abroad, to donate for the cause.
The account bears Account number 03-593-299999-001-4 and IBN number PK06SBPP0035932999990014 for raising funds for the construction of the two dams.