PESHAWAR, Jan 18: The People’s Party Parliamentarians has cancelled its anti-Kalabagh dam rally scheduled for Saturday in Nowshera, after the government put off plan to build the controversial dam.

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club, provincial PPP president Rahimdad Khan claimed that the postponement of the Kalabagh dam was a political victory of the PPP. It had told the people about humanitarian, political and social costs of the dam and mobilised the masses against it, he added.

Mr Khan said the government had to withdraw from the plan due to forceful opposition by patriotic political forces.

MPAs Syed Zahir Ali Shah, Iftikhar Khan Jhagra and Tariq Khattak were present of the occasion.

Mr Khan vowed that the PPP would continue its struggle for the restoration of democracy and 1973 Constitution in their original spirits, rule of the law, safety of life and property, and respect for the human rights and dignity.

He condemned the military operation in Balochistan and US air strikes on innocent tribesmen in Bajaur agency on Friday.

He warned that the ongoing military operation in Balochistan and Waziristan might damage the federation of Pakistan and asked the government to end use of force against its own people.

Mr Khan said Islamabad was drawing people’s criticism since the launch of operation in the troubled parts of Balochistan and the NWFP. The people were distracted by a coward stand on the US air strikes, he added.

He said the US had to choose between Gen Pervez Musharraf and the people of Pakistan if it wanted to restore its positive image in Pakistan.

He said: “Whenever military takes over, it brings many a problem with it, instead of solving any issue. The successive military governments had always damaged the fabric of society and left many problems unsolved for the civilian governments.” He said that after the announcement of Bhasha and Munda dams by Gen Musharraf, the PPP had decided to cancel its rally to be held on Saturday in Nowshera, but the party would continue its struggle against the undemocratic steps of the government.

Mr Khan proposed to the army chief to send Rs12 billion for the rehabilitation of quake victims instead of building a new general headquarters (GHQ) for the army in Islamabad. In reply to a question, he said the NWFP government had failed to get an appropriate share of the National Finance Commission award.