KARACHI, Aug 21: The Jeay Sindh Mahaz has bitterly criticised General Pervez Musharraf’s resolve to build the controversial Kalabagh dam, terming it a declaration of war against the people of Sindh.

In a signed statement on Thursday, Abdul Khalique Junejo, chairman Jeay Sindh Mahaz, and other leaders said: “We take Gen Musharraf’s statement to mean a declaration of war against the vital interests of the Mehran valley. It is incumbent on all sons and daughters of Sindh to resist this unjust and aggressive step.”

The statement expressed astonishment at the decision of Gen Musharraf to ignore all dissenting opinions and go ahead with the plan. The dissenting opinions, it said, included three unanimous resolutions of the Sindh Assembly, and one resolution each of the NWFP and Balochistan assemblies.

It pointed out that in Sindh all cultural, professional and political leaders had frequently warned the central authorities against any such foolhardy move.

The statement noted the background to the deadlock in the president’s talks with the MMA and his decision to get tough with all opposition. Henceforth, the statement maintained, Gen Musharraf would depend on the support of the king’s party—the PML-Q and the PPP Patriots. The statement also noted that the bulk of this support came from Punjab where the support for the Kalabagh dam exists.

It maintained that by the decision to build the controversial dam at this time, Gen Musharraf planned to solidify his support base in the National Assembly. It expressed the hope that the people of the NWFP and Balochistan would stand shoulder to shoulder with their Sindhi brethren in opposing the decision.

“We are left with no option but to resist this central decision taken to consolidate the support for the president and reward the political forces in Punjab that stand behind the military regime,” said the statement.