PESHAWAR, Jan 2: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has denied claims that a decision to construct Kalabagh dam or any other water reservoir at a disputed place had been taken by the relevant quarters.

Talking to journalists here at his Provincial Assembly chamber on Monday, Mr Durrani said the political stand of his party and the government was clear on the Kalabagh dam; however, opposition leader in the NWFP Assembly was not yet clear on the issue.

He said his party leaders attended the anti-Kalabagh dam rally organized by the Awami National Party and expressed solidarity with the organizers.

He said most of the mainstream political parties were opposed to the construction of Kalabagh dam and considered it detrimental to the unity of the country.

He said the NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan had reservations on the construction of Kalabagh dam which could not be ignored easily.

Mr Durrani underlined the need for resolving this issue through the restoration of confidence and negotiation amongst federating units.

The chief minister said: “Besides the Kalabagh project, we have many other options, which we can execute safely. The Munda dam is feasible and it can cater to the needs of the country in future.”

He said that the ‘responsible quarters’ had not okayed the construction of the Kalabagh dam.

He said that Sheikh Rashid was a federal minister and his party MPAs in the NWFP Assembly denied that any decision had been taken on the issue.

He said: “We have attended three meetings on the National Finance Commission and informed the participants about NWFP dues outstanding against the Wapda. We have prepared our case, which we will present in the next meeting.”

He said they would defend rights and interests of the province at all forums, including the CCI meeting.

He once again denied that his government had given authority to the president in writing to decide about the Kalabagh dam.

He said that the chief minister of Sindh had also denied that his government had given any authority to the president on the controversial Kalabagh dam issue.

About the forthcoming Senate elections, he said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal would decide about the strategy to be taken.