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Thursday, December 27, 2012

BLACK BAGH Dam (Kalabagh dam)

BLACK BAGH Dam (Kalabagh dam):

Qamar Khoso

Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court has ordered the federal government to immediately begin work on constructing the reservoir of the highly controversial Kalabagh Dam. Although three provinces have already passed several resolutions against this Dam, Sindh assembly has passed this resolution again and I think they have passed in loyalty test, especially in Sindh. Why loyalty? Because the issue does not pertains to remaining in power or any irrigation issues, now this dam is subjected to the big war between the four provinces.
This issue has become a political slogan and loyalty of politicians of their respective provinces. Well even if they want to support the project in the deep favor of the nation they can’t, because they don’t want to lose their constituency and it will be political suicide. The Kalabagh dam cannot be built without consensus of opinion. All stakeholders must sit together. Even the military ruler and most power full presidents Gen Pervez Musharraf and Gen Zia ul haq were not able to initiate any action on this controversial dam.
Now why the both provinces, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are against this DAM?
If we are talking about Sindh then Sindh or Sindhis are not against this dam, basically they are against the design of this dam. They think that Punjab could stop their water if this dam is built or would make unauthorized withdrawal of water. Mistrust between the two provinces is a key factor, both provinces don’t trust each other, while Khyber Pakhtonkhwa fears that a high level-dam, would inundate the Nowshera valley. The design of the dam is not final so it can be modified to an agreeable solution. Meanwhile, all the political parties are trying to augment their political scores on this dam. Everyone knows majority of this country is against this deam, judging from the resolutions passed by three constituent assemblies.
And also according to constitution’s article 155(6), court cannot intervene in water-related matters, so how can court give the decision or order to government and also use the CCI meeting which was held in 1991. Now the question is how can high court give this order on the time of elections?
Well this is our issue and we have to solve this, we need honest politicians, honest institutions otherwise it will remain controversial.

Khota Peer Ya Baba Khamba

Khota Peer Ya Baba Khamba:

Asra Ghouri

asra-27-12-12