HYDERABAD, May 29: The PPP government has fulfilled the promise of shelving Kalabagh Dam project in line with its manifesto, said Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.

Speaking to journalists at the residence of Yususf Kausar Bhatti in Latifabad on Wednesday, he said present coalition government will complete its tenure as changes had been achieved at the cost of Banzir Bhutto’s life. He said PPP’s constitutional package was aimed at strengthening Parliament after brining about basic changes.

Shelving of Kalabagh Dam project for good was the decision of the government and not of any individual he said adding water distribution among provinces should be in accordance to Water Accord 1991 and any shortage should be shared by all equally. He called for addressing Sindh’s water shortage problem, administratively.

Earlier addressing a seminar Khuhro said irrigation system needs improvement to save water adding that elsewhere in the world seawater had been made fit for human consumption whereas we are fighting over one project. He said for power generation, run-of-the-river projects would be launched in addition to utilisation of Thar coal which will also help in earning foreign exchange.

About the proposed pro-Kalabagh Dam drive by PML, he said that it would flop as people do not want to opt for anything which may weaken country’s foundation.

He said Mian Nawaz Sharif was on record having stated that he had given up the idea of building Kalabagh Dam in view of peoples’ reaction. “I believe he remembers his words”, said Khuhro. About the budget, he said it would be people-friendly.

He said PPP had been pressing multiple-factor-formula for the NFC Award as its period in the constitutional package had been curtailed to three from five years.

Parliamentary elections were not strong while reservations on judiciary persisted, he said.