10 February 2004	Tuesday	18 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: Participants of a national workshop on 'water, dams and development' from the four provinces here on Monday resolved to work out their differences through dialogue and propose an acceptable solution to the highest level of decision-making.

The workshop organized by an entity calling itself, "Building Partnerships, Promoting Sustainability" was attended by representatives of the federal government, members of provincial assemblies of Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sindh besides representatives of international organizations.

Opening the discussion, National Reconstruction Bureau chairman Daniyal Aziz said water was one of the priority areas and the bureau would soon hold a convention of local bodies on the subject.

Sindh minister for provincial coordination Nadir Akmal Laghari emphasized that national interest and development were primary to all concerns. He assured full support of his government in resolving the issue of water and dams.

During the workshop, five presentations on various aspects of its theme were made. Prof (Dr) Dogan Altinbilek, president of International Hydropower Association, UK, said hydropower was responsible for 19 per cent of the world's electricity production and was being used in 150 countries with no emissions. The US, Canada, Brazil, China and Russia account for 50 per cent of the world hydropower generating nations, he added.

Egyptian water resources ministry representative Dr Khalid M. Tobar said the Aswan High Dam in his country had converted the desert into a "blooming garden". "Certainly people were displaced and environmental sacrifices made but the Government of Egypt had mitigated both these factors," he added.

The UNEP/DDP Nairobi, Kenya, coordinator, Alberto T. Calcagno, dwelling on the world commission of dams report, emphasised that there was a case both for and against the dams.

The report had outlined certain principles which, if followed in true letter and spirit, would yield positive results in case of dam construction, operation and resolution of socio- environmental issues. The affected people, he went on to stress, should be the first among the beneficiaries of any resettlement programmes.

The Asian Development Bank country director, Mashruk Ali Shah, said dams were an important choice in face of the current water scarcity and Pakistan's future needs.