LARKANA: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Saturday signaled the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar to halt taking up the issue of Kalabagh Dam.
While addressing a press conference, he said that he will lodge a ‘Contempt of People’ notice against CJP if he attempts to revive the ‘dead’ project of Kalabagh Dam.
“The project is incompatible and infeasible regarding adequate distribution of water among the provinces,” he alleged while adding that CJP has disappointed the nation.
“Nawaz Sharif also aimed to lay the foundation stone of the project but three provincial assemblies passed resolutions against its construction. We will fight against Kalabagh Dam on every forum,” he asserted.
He said that Liaquat Ali Jatoi wanted to appoint Pervez Musharraf as minister of water and power, so that he could pave the way for building the dam. However, Musharraf could not talk about the issue after observing sentiments of the people when he visited Mehar. “Three million acres of land of Sindh has not only been made infertile, but also turned the nearby farmlands unsuitable for crop farming due to water-logging and salinity,” he added.
He further accused Indus River System Authority (IRSA) of acute water shortage in the region and expressed concerns that IRSA should be administered by the irrigation department rather than WAPDA.
Khuhro urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to summon IRSA for ensuring equal distribution of water among the provinces while Sindh is constantly being deprived of its share.
He called Kalabagh Dam ‘a black snake for Sindh’.
“We are not politicising the issue, however if it is politics to fight for ones right, then let it be,” he maintained.
Khuhro claimed that Chashma barrage was built to route water through CJ Link Canal to upper south Punjab for irrigation while it is unconstitutional as Water Apportionment Accord has been violated. “Grand democratic Alliance (GDA) has not issued a single statement regarding CJP’s stance on Kalabagh Dam,” he stressed adding that GDA does not have manifesto.
He said that Basha Dam should be constructed and Pervez Musharraf should face a trial about halting the construction of Basha Dam.
“Dictator Zia-ul-Haq raised the issue of Kalabagh Dam, however, it was rejected by provincial assemblies at that time,” Khuhro said while accusing IRSA for halting water flow into Rice Canal. “We have completed preparations to contest general elections 2018, but the list of party candidates would be publicised at right time,” he added.
He also praised late Rasool Bux Palijo for being ‘protector’ and ‘guard’ of Sindh and raising his voice against Greater Thal Canal and Kalabagh Dam.
“A gap has been created after his death that would not be filled,” he said.
Nazir Bughio, Abdul Fatah Bhutto and other party workers were also present on the occasion.
Published in Daily Times, June 10th 2018.