DADU, Jan 18: Nationalist leaders of Sindh, Balochistan and the NWFP have said the federal government is constructing the Kalabagh dam and the greater Thal canal against the wishes of the people.

Speaking on the occasion of centenary celebrations of the late G. M. Syed, the founder of the Jeay Sindh Tehrik, in Sann on Saturday evening, they said the projects would destroy the agricultural economy of the smaller provinces.

They demanded that multinational companies working in the country should pay royalty to the provinces and provide jobs to local people. Balochistan National Party leader and former Chief Minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal said the Centre was allotting thousands of acres in Gwadar to inhabitants of Punjab and retired army officers.

He said the government was establishing cantonments in Gwadar, Sui and Kohluto launch another operation against Baloch nationalists. He said the government was neglecting Baloch tribes in natural resources of the province.

Mr Mengal threatened that Balochs would occupy gas fields and other projects if they were not ensured their basic rights. Awami National Party leader Ghulam Mohammad Bilore said Balochistan, Sindh and NWFP assemblies had passed resolutions against the construction of the Kalabagh Dam and the Thal canal but the federal government was going ahead with the projects.

National Party chief Abdul Hayee Baloch said the government should abandon the water projects opposed by the people. Jeay Sindh Mahaz chairman Syed Zain Shah, former deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, Sindh National Front vice-chairman Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, Seraiki Qaumi Movement leader Muzaffar Hashmi, Pakhtoon Khwah Milli Awami Party leader Abdul Rahim Mandokhel and others also spoke on the life and teachings of the late Syed.

JSMM: Activists of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, led by Shafi Mohammad Burfat, Samiullah Kalhoro and Khalil Khaskheli, laid floral wreaths on the shrine of G. M. Syed.