KARACHI, Dec 8: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has advised the federal government to desist from taking action on sensitive issues, including the Kalabagh dam, without taking the Sindh government or elected representatives into confidence.

Addressing the MQM rallies held in the PIB Colony and Shah Faisal Colony in connection with the Dec 10 by election, he also called for the setting up of the Council of Common Interest (CCI), and said that the report of the committee headed by A. N. G. Abbasi be made public.

He made it clear that MQM could not support any project which was against the interests of Sindh.

A large number of MQM supporters had gathered at the rallies in the areas where by-election for the two Sindh Assembly seats is being held on Saturday.

Indicating that a number of people from the government and outside had been paying lip-service in opposing the Kalabagh dam and other such mega projects, he recalled that they were the same people who had actually initiated the dam at Kalabagh.

Altaf Hussain said that the MQM, whether in government or opposition, could not even conceive of favouring the projects or schemes which were against the interests of Sindh. As a coalition partner in the present government, the party has been opposing Kalabagh dam plan and has twice got approved from the present Sindh Assembly the resolutions against the project. It has been fighting relentlessly against an unjust NFC decision. The federal government will be well advised to take into confidence the Sindh government and elected representatives on such issues.

 The MQM chief said that work on the project should not start until a consensus on the controversial issues was evolved, he stressed.

He said he would sincerely advise the centre to listen to the voice of smaller provinces. “Sindh is part of Pakistan and it was only logical that its resolution against Kalabagh dam should be given due importance. Similarly, grievances of the NWFP and Balochistan should also be given proper attention, he added.

He said that if appropriate, a third resolution on the subject could be adopted in the Sindh Assembly.

Mr Hussain warned that conspirators had again become active to create disturbances in Sindh or creating urban-rural divide.

However, he said, attempts had been started afresh to provoke Urdu and Sindhi-speaking people to fight against each other.

“Such a conspiracy will not succeed as both the sections have united for the common cause — progress of their province,” he declared.