K & P

Of propositions and solutions: ANP opposes construction of Kalabagh Dam

PTI blamed for adopting dubious policies.

Our Correspondent October 14, 2015

Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan opposed the construction of Kalabagh Dam at a meeting of the party’s working committee at Bacha Khan Markaz held on Wednesday.

Asfandyar said the construction of the dam will be opposed at all cost and his party’s stance in this regard was crystal clear. “No one should misunderstand the position of ANP regarding the building of Kalabagh Dam – we will resist it and subsequently defend the rights and interests of Pukhtuns,” he said.

He added many people in the country were trying to create an impression that only Punjab was the real Pakistan. “This false assumption needs to change since all other nationalities and provinces are also part of Pakistan and will remain so,” said Asfandyar.

“There are some people in the country who only want to take care of Punjab’s interests on important matters like China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Kalabagh Dam but let me tell them, ANP will work tirelessly to defend the interests of the Pukhtun nation,” said Asfandyar.

Restoring old friendship

ANP chief said it was a pity Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani’s visit created only a short-lived friendship.

“Peace in Pakistan is tied to peace in Afghanistan and since the age of installing Taliban on the throne of Kabul is long gone, both nations should cooperate and work together,” said Asfandyar. “None of the two countries should allow their soil to be used against the other.”

Exposing hypocrisy

According to Asfandyar, Pakistan was faced with a lot of challenges but instead of solving these problems, the ruling elite was trying to create more anarchy in the country by touching controversial matters.

“The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government was adopting dubious tactics,” he said. “At first, it expelled Qaumi Watan Party from the government on corruption charges but has now included it once again – this shows PTI’s real face to the world,” said ANP chief.

“In the areas where PTI won, it claimed voting was fair and impartial but in areas where it lost votes, it stated elections had been rigged,” he added.

Regarding the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Asfandyar said it should be made part of K-P and reforms should be introduced to make it a part of mainstream politics.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (1)

Lakhkar Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Kalabagh dam will only benefit Punjab on the expense of other provinces like Pukhtunkhwa and Sindh. In a case of flood or any other disaster, these 2 provinces will be drowned. Example: 1. Tarbela Dam, located in KPK, generates the most hydro power in the country from which Punjab benefits the most. KPK which generates the power still have up to 18 hours of load shedding per day. Based in China corridor original plan, it should be going directly form China via KPK to Gwadr, Baluchistan . The ruling Punjabi party added 600KM extra to the plan just to benefit Punjab and omit major parts of KPK and Baluchistan. A better question is, why other provinces have to bare the brunt to benefit Punjab. Have we learned anything from the history (i.e.Bengladesh)? The ruling party of Punjab are the real greedy thieves. They have to be stopped from stealing others resources.

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