RAWALPINDI, Oct 4: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Thursday expressed concern over World Bank’s refusal to provide funds for Diamer-Bhasha Dam, terming it an international conspiracy.

According to a press release, RCCI President Manzar Khurshid Sheikh said the government should utilise its own resources to complete mega projects. He demanded of the government to create consensus on Kalabagh Dam, which according to experts was the most viable solution to the prevailing energy crunch.

The RCCI chief was talking to a delegation of traders and industrialists here on Thursday.

Senior Vice-President Pervaiz Warriach, Vice-President Nadeem Rauf, group leader Najamul Haq Malik, Sheikh Siddique, Iqbal Ahmed and other members of the chamber were also present.

Mr Khurshid said the construction of Kalabagh Dam was in the interest of the country as it was cheaper and had much more production capacity than Bhasha Dam.  “The government must create a consensus on the issue as billion of dollars have already been spent on the project,” he added.