Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa oppose Kalabagh dam project

The province of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have expressed their displeasure over the decision of Lahore High Court (LHC) that orders the federal government to construct Kalabagh dam, saying they wouldn’t allow for the contentious project.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah commenting on the decision lashed out at the LHC’s verdict, saying his province will never accept the contentious power project. He said it was condemnable that old issues such as the Kalabagh Dam project were brought up.

Highlighting water scarcity in the country, the chief minister said that the controversial project was a matter of life and death for the people of Sindh. He further criticised people for only protesting against issues that can be solved through simple amendments in the laws but are staying silent on the Kalabagh issue.

In the meantime, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that the project was against national interest. He said the Kalabagh Dam project can hurt the country badly.

He also said that three provinces are against the project and the Supreme Court should immediately take notice and nullify the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) decision. Hussain pointed out that the 18^th amendment allows provinces to take decision with regards to construction of dams.

On Thursday, the LHC ordered the federal government to allay apprehensions of all stake holders and build the controversial dam. It asked the government to fulfill its responsibilities under Article 154 of the Constitution given the Council of Common Interest (CCI) has twice approved construction of the project.

While disposing of a number of petitions on the matter, LHC Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial held, “In the circumstances and for detailed reasons to follow, the Federal government is directed that in the performance of its duty under Article 154 of the Constitution, it shall in letter and spirit take steps that implement the decisions of the CCI dated September 16, 1991 and May 9, 1998 regarding Kalabagh Dam.”

The verdict reads, “Bona fide steps by the Federal government in the foregoing behalf are necessary so that the fate of the project is not sealed on the basis of presumptions and surmises when in the light of the material on record the project is admittedly feasible both technically and economically.”

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Posted by Web Desk on Dec 1 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.