KHAIRPUR, Jan 8: Around 300 religious leaders from Khairpur and Sukkur districts, belonging to the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F), on Sunday issued a Fatwa against construction of the Kalabagh dam. The ulema, led by Maulana Abdul Qayoom Halejvi, gathered at Aisha Masjid in the Priyaloi town.

They considered construction of the dam in religious, political and social context for two to three hours.

They exchanged views about construction of the dam and later issued Fatwa.

Maulana Halejvi said that as per the Shariah, the River Indus and its waters were the property of Sindh.

He said the province had exclusive right over the Indus waters.

Therefore, he said, construction of the Kalabagh dam or any other dam on the river and taking water through such a dam was unlawful under Shariah.