Rabbani warns govt of advocating Kalabagh Dam

He was addressing a seminar where he said that the federal government should bring the issue to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) rather than advocating it through an official and creating more controversies through irresponsible statements.

He was referring to the recent remarks of Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Zafar Mahmood in favour of the Kalabagh Dam, who has written several articles in support of the dam.

READ MORE: Kala Bagh Dam a dead horse, should not be flogged: CM

Rabbani said that the assemblies of three provinces have passed resolutions against the Kalabagh Dam and it was inappropriate and against the spirit of federalism for a bureaucrat to make statements over the issue.

He warned of attempts to take powers devolved to the provinces under the 18th Amendment. “There will be serious threats to the federation if the provincial autonomy is rolled back,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chairman Senate Ghafoor Haideri questioned the efforts which have been undertaken to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state, and said that federation cannot progress if removed from its objectives. He said that the country would not face the myriad challenges if there was implementation on the constitution.

Senate Opposition Leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsan said that country faces several challenges including terrorism and intolerance which have crept into the society. He said that it was inappropriate for a province to spend on a single development project as much of the entire budget of another province.