ISLAMABAD -(Dow Jones)- The Pakistan government has approved 26 infrastructure and social projects worth PKR977 billion ($11.79 billion), the federal minister for water and power said Thursday.

Of the total approvals given by the executive committee of the National Economic Council, PKR894.25 billion is for a dam project in northern Pakistan to mainly generate electricity, Raja Pervez Ashraf said.

The Diamer-Bhasha dam project on the Indus river will have an installed capacity of 4,500 megawatts and will be completed in the next eight to 10 years, he said, adding, the dam's construction will start by October 2010.

Pakistan will need nearly 110,000 MW of power by 2025, said Ashraf.

The country, which currently generates 13,000-13,600 MW, faces 2,000-3,000 MW of power shortage during peak hours.

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Posted by rjorr at August 24, 2009 2:59 PM