ISLAMABAD, July 20: There is a need for evolving a consensus in the country on construction of at least one major water reservoir and Sindh has its reservations on Kalabagh Dam, says Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim.

He was speaking at a news conference at the PML House here after participating in the meeting of special parliamentary committee on water which was attended by the four chief ministers. The committee is chaired by Senator Nisar Memon.

Mr Rahim called for a just distribution of water among the provinces before going for the construction of a big dam. Mr Rahim said: "A national consensus must be solicited before going for the construction of a big dam and the confidence of the people must be revived."

He pledged that he would protect Sindh's rights in the capacity as chief minister and would not allow anything against the province's interests. The Sindh chief minister urged the water resources committee to work in all provinces for achieving a national consensus in this regard.

He said the construction of a major water reservoirs was the job of federal government and it should be done after equitable distribution of water among the federating units.

Arbab Rahim denied the use of official resources in Shaukat Aziz's election campaign in Tharparker by-polls and said that the said that the seat had been with his family for the past many years and the PML candidate's position was very strong there.

He refuted the opposition's allegations and said that it was levelling accusations of rigging out of its fear of a certain defeat. Mr Rahim said that the army could be called in if there was any need for this on the polling day.

The Sindh government was in contact with Pir Pagaro, adding that his son was inducted in Sindh cabinet on his advice. PML's secretary general Mushahid Hussain Syed accompanied the Sindh chief minister on the occasion.

Earlier, talking to newsmen at a dinner reception late Monday night Arbab Rahim denied the possibility of imposition of a ban on Jamaat-i-Islami in Sindh. He said that while the Sindh government was in favour of removing the stigma of karo-kari from the province, girls cannot be allowed to "run away" from their homes.

Stressing the need for ensuring the law's implementation in this regard, he said people's status should be enhanced through education and improving their economic conditions.