It is a matter of great concern that a national consensus could not be built on this Kalabagh Dam most important project, which could bring a lot of good for the country.
An analyses of the situation indicates that this is due to Sindh province's deep rooted apprehension that Punjab will utilise its water and power resources injudiciously to the disadvantage of the downstream areas of Sindh and Balochistan, thereby rendering vast swathes of land arid in those provinces. Weather this mistrust is real or not, it is a real obstacle in arriving at a consensus. Something will have to be done to address it.
I have an innovative suggestion to overcome the situation. The entire administration and control of this project should be given to an autonomous body under the control of the Government of Sindh. This will give them an assurance that the minimum discharge of water required to keep the river delta alive will be assured.
This should also be authorised by an act of parliament. That means Punjab will get water only when God is merciful to give us more water than a minimum prescribed amount for the good of the downstream areas. This of course is better than receiving nothing in the absence of the consensus and the Dam. As regards to the distribution of electricity is concerned that can be done according to the formula agreed and approved by the parliament.
This of course is just an outline of a proposal. It requires some fine tuning through national deliberations and discussions, which I am sure will result in arriving at a national consensus.