HYDERABAD: Dam to harm integrity of country: committee
Bureau Report
HYDERABAD, Aug 31: Reviewing the water situation, widespread devastations wreaked by recent floods in upper Sindh and poor relief activities, the Sindh Water Committee at its meeting held here on Thursday condemned the recent statement of President General Pervez Musharraf about the construction of Kalabagh Dam by year 2016.
President of the committee Rasool Bux Palijo chaired the meeting which was attended by former senator Qazi Abdul Majeed, Professor Mushtaq Mirani, Muzaffar Sadiq Bhatti, Jami Chandio and Vishnu Mal.
The meeting alleged that President Musharraf’s regime was illegal, unconstitutional and he was ruling over the country by force.
It claimed that all the federating units had opted for Pakistan voluntarily and no dictator, government or institution has the authority to tinker with the historical rights and resources of Sindh or any other.
The committee pointed out that the people of Sindh had repeatedly said that no dam or canal could be constructed on Indus River without the consent of the Sindh adding that it has been proved that no water was available in the country for constructing any more dam or canal.
It claimed that 70 per cent of Sindh’s water has already been ‘looted’ through the construction of dams and canals.
The committee warned that if Kalabagh Dam was constructed by committing economic genocide of the Sindhi people and by violating all democratic and moral values, it would not only prove dangerous for Sindh but also be a fatal blow to the very unity and integrity of the country.
It claimed that Gen Pervez Musharraf has been rejected by all and sundry due to his anti-Pakistan and anti-people and pro-imperialist policies. It said that he was giving Kalabagh Dam as a bribe to Punjab to remain in power.
The committee warned all the political parties, that, if they supported these policies of Gen Musharraf including the construction of Kalabagh Dam, they will also be dubbed as anti-Pakistan and anti-Sindh and will be politically rejected.
The committee decided to hold a seminar at Hyderabad on Sept 11, on “water issue and demands of Sindh” and to collect documentary evidence to prepare Sindh’s case.
It was further decided that the members of the Sindh Water Committee would undertake an exhaustive tour of the flood affected areas and prepare a comprehensive report for publication.
It also decided to launch a signature campaign on the water issue.
The committee appealed to the people of Sindh to get an undertaking from every candidate, who was aspirant for contesting in the general elections that in case he was elected, he would strongly oppose the construction of any dam or canal on River Indus and also raise his voice for payment of compensation for the ‘robberies’ committed on River Indus in the past.
