Pakistan

It is not apex court's responsibility to build consensus on Kalabagh dam: Khuhro

PPP Sindh president warns insisting on controversial dam may break the federation

Our Correspondent June 11, 2018

Khuhro asked the SC to summon the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) to explain why it had failed to ensure equitable distribution of water among the provinces. Nisar Khuhro. PHOTO: EXPRESS

HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has cautioned that the contentious issue of Kalabagh dam has the potential to break the federation if an unfavourable decision is imposed on the smaller provinces. Talking to the media in Sukkur, Khuhro opposed the Supreme Court's (SC) intervention in the controversial project.

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He recalled that Gen Ziaul Haq first spearheaded the project and later former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in his second government, was about to announce it when people of Sindh vehemently resisted the project. Likewise, Khuhro added, Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf also attempted to foist his decision in favour of the dam on other provinces but the widespread opposition in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa held him back.

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"These days the chief justice [Mian Saqib Nisar] has taken up this matter," The PPP leader said, contending that it was not the SC's responsibility to try to forge consensus on such a project. "If I am issued contempt of court notice for my comments, I will reply with contempt of people notice," he said.

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The PPP Sindh president pointed out that low discharge of water from the Indus River in the downstream of Kotri canal had been resulting in sea intrusion in the coastal districts of Sindh. An estimated three million acres of fertile land has been turned barren, he maintained.

Khuhro asked the SC to summon the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) to explain why it had failed to ensure equitable distribution of water among the provinces. "In violation of the 1991 accord, water was being released to CJ link canal [in Punjab from Sindh's share]," he lamented. Khuhro blamed both Irsa and the Water and Power Development Authority for the water crisis in the country.

The PPP leader also praised the late Rasool Bux Palijo for his political struggles and contributions. "Rasool Bux Palijo was a defender of Sindh. He raised voice against Kalabagh dam and Thal Canal. His death has left a vaccum."