Kalabagh dam issue was now in the court of General Pervez Musharraf and it would be interesting to see how he handles this issue; however, consensus in the four provinces was vital before the start of construction.
Muhammad Pervaiz Malik, PML-N Central Secretary Finance, expressed these views while addressing a meeting of his party workers here on Friday. "However, this consensus could not be achieved without the involvement of mainstream parties having influence in the four provinces. For this purpose the political leadership sitting outside should be invited back home and allowed to work. Instead of going to politicians of vested interest and parochial feelings, those who were in the mainstream of national politics should be consulted and taken into confidence. The opinion of people at large in the country should also be given due weight," he added.
According to him, Kalabagh dam issue has not been raised in true perspective, which created doubts. Now everybody was opposing the dam even those who were in its favour in the past. General Musharraf should create consensus first in the ranks of ruler's alliance in the four provinces. If the ruler's alliance in other provinces instead of Punjab talks of Kalabagh dam and other reservoirs, it was feasible. The Punjab's enthusiasm creates more opposition and counter statements.