KARACHI, Dec 4: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League in Sindh is not prepared to extend support to the federal government on the Kalabagh dam issue and almost all of its MPAs who met Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Karachi expressed reservations about the controversial project, with some saying that if an announcement was made about the dam’s construction, it would seal the fate of the party.

However, even those who were vocal in the meeting with Mr Aziz were not prepared to come on record when contacted by Dawn. They said that in view of their commitment and sensitivity of the issue, they would not like to be quoted for or against the dam.

However, they said there was serious resentment against Kalabagh in Sindh and unless a consensus was developed any announcement to build the dam would be extremely harmful.

Even some provincial ministers stressed the need for removing apprehensions of the people of Sindh before finalizing the project.

They appreciated the spirit and announcement of the prime minister that he will seek opinion of all stakeholders before taking any decision.

Mr Aziz reminded them that it was for the first time that the federal government was taking the provincial governments into confidence before taking any decision of national importance. It was also giving weight to the views of opinion leaders.

He pointed out that reports of two committees on the subject had been received by the government which at present were being studied. Their recommendations would soon be made public, the sources quoted him as telling the Sindh MPAs.

The prime minister’s visit to explore the possibility of getting support on the dam issue proved quite disappointing, the sources said. He, however, was happy that frank opinion was expressed by members without any reservation.

He assured the MPAs that the government was currently busy doing consultation and will take into account all views before deciding the matter.

It is learnt that President Musharraf will also hold a round of consultation with elected representatives and stakeholders. But before that, it is presumed that the Abbasi Committee’s report would be made public so that apprehensions expressed in the report could be removed by extending constitutional guarantees.

PML vice-president and former Sindh minister, Imtiaz Shaikh held a one-to-one meeting with Prime Minister Aziz at the State Guest House.

The situation prevailing in the province came under discussion, with specific reference to the Kalabagh dam and law and order, the sources said.

Mr Shaikh explained the situation in detail by referring to the Sindh Assembly’s reservations about the dam.

He referred to the three resolutions adopted by the assembly against the dam’s construction and said that “no doubt construction of big dams was inevitable for the country, public perception about them was not favourable”.

He said that unless the Abbasi Committee report was made public, it would be difficult for anyone to give opinion on its contents.

He, however, praised the federal government’s move to develop consensus on the sensitive matter, the sources said.