HYDERABAD: Donors to be urged not to fund disputed projects
Bureau Report
HYDERABAD, Nov 6: The leaders of the Anti-Greater Thal Canal Action Committee agreed in principle to approach international agencies to request them not to advance any funds to Pakistan for the construction of the greater Thal canal and Kalabagh dam.
They decided this in a meeting which was held at the Qasimabad residence of PPP leader Maula Bux Chandio on Thursday.
The meeting also resolved to enlarge the scope of the protest by approaching the political, democratic and nationalist forces of other provinces for launching a joint struggle against the water projects.
The convener of the action committee and provincial president PPP, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, briefed the members of the committee about the deliberations of the opposition leaders of all the four provinces at a meeting held at Lahore.
The meeting discussed the course of action to be taken by the committee.
He expressed hope that the movement would gain momentum with the joining of the leaders of different parties in the struggle from all over Pakistan.
He said that the federal government was resorting to various tactics to sabotage the movement by pitting one province against the others.
Mr Khuhro said that the democratic forces of Punjab, the Seraiki belt, the NWFP and Balochistan would foil these conspiracies.
He said initially Sindh alone had started the struggle against anti-Pakistan water projects, but with the passage of time all political forces of the country had demonstrated their willingness to join the struggle.
He claimed that the loan-providing international agencies were against the construction of big dams.
He wondered as to where the water would be provided for the dams when the available water resources were hardly enough to meet the country’s requirements.
He alleged that the only aim of the rulers and Wapda was to get fat commissions through the construction of these dams.
He advised the rulers to stop working against the interests of the provinces, otherwise the consequences would be disastrous.
Mr Khuhro said the great achievement of the meeting of the opposition leaders in Lahore was that they had agreed that the issue of water distribution, NFC Award, Kalabagh dam, Thal canal and Gwadar Port were controversial.
He said even the leadership of Punjab had endorsed the view that nothing should be done against the interest of any province.
He condemned the arrest of the PML(N) acting president and ARD president, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi.
He was equally critical of the continued incarceration of Asif Ali Zardari.
Some of those who attended the meeting were STPP Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi, JUI(F) leader Azam Jahangiri, PPP leaders Fayaz Shah and Pasha Qazi.
PAF RECRUITMENT: The officer commanding, Pakistan Air Force Information and Selection Centre, Hyderabad, has announced the result of airmen entry course.
Successful candidates have been advised to contact the selection centre for medical test.
MMA: MNA Sahebzada Abul Khair Mohammad Zubair has said that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal is trying to serve the people without any discrimination.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the construction and repairs of roads and streets in Paretabad, Quaidabad and Liaquat colony here the other day, he said the development work was being carried out from the MNA’s fund of Rs5 million.
MPA Abdur Rehman Rajput, City taluka Nazim Moenuddin Shaikh and councillors of the area were also present on the occasion.
He said he had submitted more development schemes to authorities concerned.
