ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: People affected by mega water projects from various parts of the country here on Thursday held a demonstration in front of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank and warned them not to fund the Kalabagh Dam, saying it would disintegrate the country.

They blamed both the banks for not abiding by their own guidelines in implementing major projects in Pakistan which had not only damaged the environment but also displaced thousands of people.

The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans like “WB the killer of poor”, “Down with dam”, “Musharraf must decide: Pakistan or dam”.

The protest was organized by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum and Actionaid.

The protesters handed over a memorandum first to the acting country director of the WB, Abid Hussain, and then to an official of the ADB.

They complained to the WB official that the bank was backing the government to pursue the project of mega water reservoirs and had assured it of funding the Kalabagh Dam despite the fact that it would displace more than 210,000 people and affect millions of others besides shaking the foundation of the federation.—Our Reporter