KARACHI, Oct 19: Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan, President of the Awami National Party, has said that the plan to go ahead with the construction of Kalabagh Dam would prove disastrous for the federation.

Mr Asfandyar Khan, while addressing ANP office- bearers and workers on Sunday at the Bacha Khan Markaz, said: “What type of justice it is that the unanimously adopted resolutions of the three provinces against the Kalabagh Dam have been thrown in the dustbin and for the sake of one province, the interests of the country are being put at stake.

He said if the elder brother failed to give due consideration to his younger brothers, they, too, would not give him due respect.

He said if Gen Pervez Musharraf had the courage, he should speak out that he would be responsible for the consequences of the construction of the Kalabagh Dam. Thus they would be free to decide about their future.

The ANP leader said that nuclear power was not enough to maintain the federation. Had it been so, the Soviet Union which had many more nuclear bombs would not have disintegrated.

He urged the party workers that whatever the prevailing situation takes a turn in the country, they should unite under the banner of their party to solve the problems of the masses and mitigate their sufferings.

Others who spoke on this occasion included Shahi Syed, Amin Khattak, Rana Gul Afridi, Karim Khan Mandokhel, Bashir Jan, Qasim Jan, Ashtaman Khan, Abdul Qayyum Salar zai, Ammar Khan and others.

The speakers referred the problems being faced by people regarding price-hike, unemployment and provision of basic facilities, particularly those living in periphery of the city.