ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday the government would try to evolve a ‘national consensus’ before initiating work on the Kalabagh, Akhori, Munda and Kurram Tangi dams. However, the prime minister added, the government was determined to construct all the four dams after the completion of the Diamer-Bhasha dam.

Talking to newsmen after attending a Christmas function, the prime minister said: “The government is taking steps to overcome the shortage of electricity during summer.”

He said the energy demand was going up at a rate of eight to 10 per cent every year due to a `rapid economic growth’.

Mr Aziz brushed aside newspaper reports that the government was considering a proposal to introduce two weekly holidays. “We are firm believers in the work ethic and cannot even think of reducing the number of working days.”

In reply to a question about the delay in ground-breaking of the Islamabad airport, the prime minister said contracts for its designing had been awarded and construction would start soon. He denied that there was any technical problem behind the delay. “President Pervez Musharraf and I will perform its ground-breaking soon.”

The prime minister rebutted allegations that Pakistan had reversed its stance on Kashmir.