Islamabad:Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi conducted an extensive field visit to Simly Dam on Wednesday to evaluate the reservoir’s current capacity and oversee strategic expansion initiatives aimed at securing the federal capital’s long-term water security.
During a comprehensive technical briefing, officials informed the minister that Simly Dam remains a critical infrastructure asset, currently fulfilling approximately 40 percent of Islamabad’s total water requirements.
In response to the growing demographic pressures on the city’s resources, the minister issued a formal directive to relevant authorities to draft a viable and exhaustive expansion plan. He emphasized that the enlargement of the reservoir is a prerequisite for ensuring a sustainable and uninterrupted water supply for the residents of the capital.
The minister further mandated that a detailed engineering and financial proposal for the expansion project be finalised and submitted for official review without delay. Beyond the immediate focus on utility infrastructure, Naqvi conducted a survey of the dam’s peripheral areas to assess their suitability for ecological and commercial development.
He identified the region as a high-potential zone for domestic tourism and leisure, suggesting that the landscape is uniquely suited for the integration of water sports and modern recreational facilities.
Advocating for a dual-purpose approach to the site’s development, he noted that transforming the Simly Dam area into a premier tourist destination would yield significant socioeconomic benefits.
He stated that the introduction of world-class amenities would not only provide citizens with much-needed leisure outlets but also stimulate the local economy by creating diverse employment opportunities for nearby communities.
The high-level visit was attended by the Chairman of the CDA, IG Islamabad Police, and a delegation of senior administrative officials, signaling a coordinated inter-departmental effort to prioritize the city’s infrastructure and tourism sectors.
