December 27, 2005	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 24, 1426

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SWABI, Dec 26: The government should focus on the construction of non-controversial Bhasha dam instead of the controversial Kalabagh dam and take steps which create unity among the people of four provinces. This was stated by leaders of political parties opposed to the construction of Kalabagh dam on Monday.

Former MNA and district president of Awami National Party Rehmanullah said that his party had already made it clear that the construction of Kalabagh was against the interest of three provinces and Balochistan, Sindh and the NWFP Assemblies had already passed anti-Kalabagh resolutions. The ANP’s parliamentary leaders would tender resignations if the government stuck to its guns and went ahead with the project, said Rehmanullah whose son is also an MPA.

He said his party wanted progress and prosperity of the country but not at the cost of the people. “The ANP has prepared a plan for holding anti-Kalabagh rally on Dec 29,” he added.

ANP leader and former district nazim Jehanzeb Khan said that previous governments had also made noises about building the Kalabagh dam but their efforts met with failure. A provincial leader of Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Arshad Ali advocate said that all the communities in Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP would suffer harm by the Kalabagh dam which would only benefit the people of Punjab.

“This project would bring together the people and leaders of various political parties on one platform and they would oppose its construction tooth and nail.”

Former provincial information secretary of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf Asad Qaisar said it seemed that the government wanted to use the Punjab card while influencing the mind of the people of Punjab and preparing the ground for the next general election.

He said it was a political game and the government had a future plan for strengthening its hold on power.

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