Supporters and opponents of Kalabagh Dam on Thursday argued during Senate budget debate on whether the project was vital to help Pakistan meet future energy needs or it was a design of tightening Punjab's grasp over smaller provinces resources.
With Senators belonging to ruling coalition described the construction of the dam necessary for survival of the country, nationalists from NWFP and Balochistan opposed the proposed project.
An ear-splitting 'No' by a NWFP member and a threat of dire repercussions by a Baloch nationalist lawmaker were the reactions when a PML Senator termed Kalabagh Dam 'a project very much vital for the country's survival.'
A pitched opposition of three smaller federating units except Punjab had early this year forced the government to defer till an across the board consensus is achieved on the project.
"Kalabagh Dam is as crucial (for Pakistan) as any thing else...no body who claims to be a true Pakistani should oppose it (for political reasons)," said Naeem Hussain.
For him KBD was the only project that could help Pakistan come out of a looming energy crisis as he urged the government to materialise it as soon as possible.
But Ilyas Bilour of Awami National Party (ANP) and Raza Muhammad Raza of Pukhtoonkhawa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) had different ideas on the issue.
According to them Kalabagh Dam is a controversy of depriving NWFP (Pukhtoons) and Sindh from their shares in the Indus water.
"We will see who musters courage to construct Kalabagh Dam," Raza threatened interrupting the speech of Senator Naeem.
When Ilyas Bilour had his turn moments later, he also started his speech with a similar threat. "Nobody can even think of constructing Kalabagh Dam as long as we are alive...and after us our children will stop it," His threat was more violent.
In the wake of such an opposition that is for political reasons for some analysts, whether the government will ever be able to go ahead with the proposed project is a million-dollar question.
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