31 January 2005	Monday	20 Zilhaj 1425

PESHAWAR, Jan 30: The Awami National Party (ANP) has vowed not to allow construction of the controversial Kalabagh Dam and accept the hegemony of Punjab.

Speaking at a public meeting at Chowk Yadgar on Saturday, party central president Senator Asfandyar Wali alleged that the Kalabagh project had been planned for the prosperity and progress of Punjab.

The meeting was organised to commemorate the 17th death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who led a non-violence movement against British colonialism in the sub-continent. The venue was decorated with party flags and banners.

"We are followers of Bachaa Khan and believe in non-violence, but will not allow any power to build Kalabagh Dam," Asfandyar remarked. He warned that no one could construct Kalabagh Dam and destroy Pukhtuns for the economic prosperity of others.

The ANP leader said the Kalabagh project was technically unsound, and asked the government not to waste time and resources on it. Asfandyar Wali accused the government of launching an unannounced military operation in Balochistan.

"On the one hand the government talks about a peaceful settlement of the issues while on the other it has initiated a military operation in Sui against Balochs." "They (government) targeted Pukhtuns in South Waziristan Agency and now has started an operation against Balochs in Sui and other parts of Balochistan.

The rulers should not forget the East Pakistan tragedy as the ongoing situation can lead the country to another debacle," he warned. He held out an assurance that the ANP would fully support Balochs in their struggle to secure their constitutional rights.

Paying tribute to Bachaa Khan, he said Ghafar Khan wanted peace in the subcontinent and always preached the philosophy of non-violence. Pakistan was holding talks with India, but when Abdul Ghafar Khan had suggested that the Kashmir dispute should be solved through negotiations, he had been declared a 'traitor', he said.

ANP senior vice-president Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour claimed that Pakistan had got independence as a result of long struggle led by Ghafar Khan. Criticising the MMA government policy, he said the NWFP Assembly had passed a Shariat bill, but did not implement Islamic laws in the province.

The meeting passed resolutions demanding that the government should cancel privatisation of Wapda and end the military operation in Balochistan.