SWABI, Nov 13: Senior NWFP Minister Sirajul Haq has said that instead of wasting energy and focusing on controversial Kalabagh Dam, the federal government should start work on the uncontroversial Basha Dam.

"The chief ministers of the four provinces have already agreed that the construction of Basha Dam should be started. Its feasibility report is prepared and there are no obstacles to this project. All the political parties are supporting this project," he told Dawn during his visit to the district late on Wednesday.

"The MMA government wants that the construction of Basha Dam should be started immediately," he said. "It is the best project to meet the electricity requirements of the country".

He said the Kalabagh Dam was a controversial project and before moving for its construction, the government should develop consensus among all the federating units and satisfy all political parties.

Without consensus, he said, the construction of Kalabagh Dam might be very difficult. "We are advocating for consensus and desire that the federal government should remove fears of the parties concerned.

About President Musharraf's proposed visit to the four provinces to pave way for the construction of Kalabagh Dam, he said: "We will extend warm welcome to the president and it is a good news that the president is coming out of Islamabad."

However, he said the Kalabagh Dam was so controversial that removing of doubts and fears about Kalabagh in Balochistan, Sindh and NWFP might take five year. In reply to a question about the ongoing Wana operation, he said the government would get nothing from the operation and all the benefits would be acquired by the imperialist powers and anti-Islamic forces.

He opposed the Wana operation, alleging that the federal government had been working according to a US global agenda.