PPP leader calls for Article-6 case against Kalabagh dam advocates

KARACHI: Voicing strong opposition to widely-debated Kalabagh Dam, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Nasir Hussain Shah says anyone speaking about Kalabagh Dam should be dealt under Article-6 of the Constitution.

The remarks of the PPP MPA, during a talk show on ARY News, came in an indirect reference to the Chief Justice who earlier in the day warned that anybody opposing construction of dams will face high treason inquiry under Article-6 of the Constitution.

Must read: CJP warns of initiating high treason case against dam critics

The CJP had hurled a warning at dam critics who have been castigating the unprecedented initiative of the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister over fundraising for building dams.

 

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The PPP minister also said during the show that his party completely supports the campaign for construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams, however ‘we strongly oppose Kalabagh Dam,’ he added.

Also read: ‘Kalabagh Dam will also be built after Diamer-Bhasha dam’: CJP

In his opinion, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Faisal Vawda, who was also among the guests, said imposition of Article-6 on dam critics is still a smaller punishment. He maintained that Pakistan was facing serious water crisis and the situation needed emergency measures to cope with the problem.

Earlier, during the hearing of a case pertaining to use of underground water by mineral water brands, the CJP said that he had started studying the Article-6 of the Constitution which defined high treason and would try those opposing the dam under the law.

He maintained that his only purpose is to serve the nation and if anyone hinders the process of building water reservoirs he may as well try him for high treason.

During the hearing, the government’s counsel told the judge that mineral water companies buy underground water at the rate of Rs25 per litre and sell it at approximately Rs50 per litre while the companies were selling underground water for free till 2018.

The CJP said that the point is if these water bottles actually contain minerals or not as the companies are selling it at an exorbitant price.

Explainer: The Article-6

The Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan is as follows

6. High treason.— Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.]

(2) Any person aiding or abetting 2[or collaborating] the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.

3[(2A) An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.]

(3) Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.