PESHAWAR, Jan 17: The Pakistan People’s Party (S) has hailed the federal cabinet’s decision to construct Bhasha and Munda dams instead of the controversial Kalabagh dam. In a statement issued here on Tuesday, PPP provincial secretary-general Sikandar Khan Sherpao said the cabinet had made the right decision at the right time and voiced the hope that it would help defuse all speculation.

“This [move] will open up new vistas of development in the country,” said Mr Sherpao, who is also a provincial lawmaker.

Mr Sherpao expressed satisfaction over deference of the Kalabagh dam project and called for a national consensus on all key issues.

The PPP-S leader said the construction of Bhasha and Munda dams was a manifestation of the aspirations of the people of Sindh and the NWFP. He said the dams were economically feasible and they would earn more economic benefits. He said the PPP had struggled under the leadership for the construction of these vital dams so as to put the country on the path of development.

According to him, these dams have huge water storage capacity and can be utilised for irrigation and power generation. Since the country is in dire need of water reservoirs, he said, the federal cabinet’s decision will have drastic impact on the national economy.