For reconstruction of Pakistan's flood-affected areas, $20 billion

South Asia News Agency: Pakistan informed to the international community on Tuesday that $ 20 billion investment would be required for reconstruction of massive flood-affected areas of Pakistan. It was stated by the Planning Commission here in Planning Commission, Chief (Water), Planning Commission Naseer Ahmed Gillani during one-day international seminar “Integrated flood& drought Management for Pakistan” organized by the World Meteorological Organization in his presentation.

He informed the participants that the reconstruction process after the massive floods in the country requires $ 10 billion public sector investment and equal investment by private sector. He said that in the absence of expected peak flows the time, duration, frequency and location may cause the investment void.

Gillani said that the public investment for hydraulic structure for water augmentation may not provide the anticipated benefits due to reduced mean annual flows. Droughts may cause reduction in growth having impacts on agricultural production and livelihood. There is not much leverage or control to combat or de-accelerate the climate change by Pakistan; therefore it is mandatory to work on climate change adaptation….