February 14, 2008	Thursday	Safar 06, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 13: The PML-N pledges building Kalabagh dam for overcoming the energy crisis the country is presently facing.

Party spokesman Siddiqul Farooq told the media here on Wednesday that after coming into power PML-N would initiate work on the much-delayed energy generation project.

Asked why the party did not execute the project in its last tenure when it enjoyed a two-thirds majority in the parliament, he blamed some conspirators for derailing the scheme when the PML-N was about to develop a national consensus on the controversial issue.

Farooq, on the occasion, released a `white paper’ on the energy crisis detailing what he called wrongdoings of the PML-Q regime which had adversely affected the energy sector.

He alleged that the former ruling party intensified the energy crisis by abandoning contracts with Chinese and other foreign firms, damaging repute of the country among the comity of nations.

Answering a question about Chinese offer to join the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project replacing India, he said his party would always appreciate the friendly countries joining the energy projects.

He regretted that despite having unbridled power for almost eight years the former rulers never tried to initiate any welfare-oriented scheme nor they took lasting steps to resolve the energy crisis.

He alleged that Gen Musharraf used the slogan of Kalabagh dam only to prolong his rule.