January 20, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 19, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 19: Vice-President of the Pakistan Muslim League Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh (MPA) has said that President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to construct Bhasha Dam first manifests aspirations of the people of Sindh and respect for the provincial assembly resolutions.

“This decision will result in harmony between the federation and provinces and bring about stability,” he added.

Addressing a press conference at his residence here on Wednesday, Mr Shaikh said that the issue of water reservoirs was turning into a dispute, but the president succeeded in resolving the issue with his farsightedness and wisdom and by respecting sentiments of the people of Sindh.

This decision had not only restored people’s confidence in his leadership, but had also closed the chapter of differences among the federating units, he observed.

Mr Shaikh said that it was time for the nation to take full advantage of Gen Musharraf’s policy and his revolutionary approach of water vision. Calling upon the opposition to do away with its policy of ‘opposition for the sake of opposition’ as the president’s address to the nation had made it quite clear that everyone in the country required water and construction of water reservoirs was inevitable to meet the requirement.

He said that the PML government had now given approval to the plan for the construction of dams, and asked the opposition to join hands with it in implementing the water vision 2020. He hoped that the issue of water flow downstream Kotri would also be resolved soon.

In reply to a question, he said that the people of Sindh had reservations over the construction of Kalabagh Dam.

Responding to another question, he said that the technical committee and parliamentary committee on water reservoirs had termed the Bhasha Dam project ‘feasible’ and observed that funds for its construction would not be a problem.

The PML leader also lauded the president’s decision viz-a-viz the NFC Award formula, and said that it would benefit all provinces.

He maintained that no operation was under way in Balochistan, and quoted the president as saying that whatever action taken there had since been stopped.

Mr Shaikh pointed out that unemployment in Sindh was assuming an alarming level, and appealed to President Musharraf to take some revolutionary step to control it.

In reply to a question, he denied having been in the race for the office of the chief minister. Such matters would be taken up at the party forum, he added.

When his attention was drawn to the chief minister’s recent statement in this regard, he said he did not know who the chief minister thought were indulged. He, however, said that such a statement from the chief minister was inappropriate.

“We are waiting for the return of our party chief, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, to request him for a meeting of the PML’s executive body.” he said.

He said he and his likeminded colleagues still had differences with the chief minister and this was on record.