Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Former Interior Affairs minister and Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao had decried the pro-Kalabagh Dam stance of Zafar Mahmood, chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

In a statement here, he said that this stance was politically motivated which was aimed at political point scoring. He said that it could be used as a political apparatus and gimmick in the next election. Since the assemblies of three provinces had already passed resolutions against this project, therefore, infusing new lease of life in this dead horse would create disharmony among the federation and its units, he said.

Hence, Sherpao said that this (dam) issue should not be played up for political considerations because Pakistan was in dire need of positive and constructive measures for the uplift of the masses. He apprehended that the Kalabagh Dam was detrimental to interests of Pakhtunkhwa as it would submerge Peshawar valley by bringing total destruction.

He said that all such efforts should be halted in the larger interests of the federation. He called upon the federal government to adopt meaningful and pragmatic measures for the Bhasha Dam which is a feasible project to help resolve the energy problems.

On Friday, Opposition Leader in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah also said that being a public servant, the WAPDA chairman should refrain from issuing statements over the Kalabagh Dam issue. He also said that the Kalabagh Dam issue was beyond the mandate of the WAPDA chairman.

He also said that the power shortage issue can be resolved through the construction of small dams, including the Bhasha Dam. He said that the government was trying to divert attention from the power crisis in the country by resurrecting the Kalabagh Dam issue. He stated that the chairman’s statements were against the spirit of federalism. He said that the chairman should first become aware of the basics of federalism before issuing such statements.