The Islamabad High Court (IHC) here on Monday dismissed a writ petition over alleged shelving of Kalabagh Dam Project (KBD) and the possible diversion of its funds to other projects. It dismissed the writ petition by citing reason of Islamabad High Court's jurisdiction to hear such a matter involving constitutional provisions.
It suggested that petitioner should take the matter to a proper forum. The Single Bench of Justice Mohammad Munir Paracha heard the writ petition filed by Chairman Pakistan Peoples Movement Muhammad Ashfaq Chaudhry through Qazi Sheharyar Iqbal advocate. During previous hearing, it had also dismissed another identical writ petition filed by senior lawyer S A Durrani, under 1 (10) CPC, due to non-pursuance.
Qazi Sheharyar Iqbal Advocate had apprised the court that construction work on the proposed water reservoir should not be abandoned in public interest and the funds reserved for the project should not be used for other purposes. He contended that in the current situation when the country was facing acute water and power shortage and the project was essential as it would have the capacity to store 6.2 maf water and help generate 4,500 megawatts electricity.
He said that every government in the past allocated funds for the project and that in 1985 some construction work was also started and in 1998 the PML-N government announced to go ahead with the construction of the dam.
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