PPP, ANP opposing Kalabagh Dam: Salman

By: Zamir Sheikh

LAHORE - Former Economic Advisor to Prime Minister Dr Salman Shah said the PPP and ANP were opposing the construction of Kalabagh Dam. Speaking at the Pre-Budget Seminar of The Nation in Lahore on Saturday Dr Shah said the KBD cannot be built until and unless the PPP and ANP stop opposing this mega water reservoir project.
He said the construction of Kalabagh Dam on one hand would ensure energy and food security while on the other, it would enable the country to generate employment.
He said the reservation and fears about raising the dam from Sindh were imaginations and not based on reality and claimed that the construction of dam would turn Sindh into food basket.
He painted a dooms day scenario of global economic conditions in next five years, predicting that the oil prices would rise to $200 and wheat would be sold at $1,000 per tone by 2013, which the country could not afford and needed energy independence.
He also claimed that the electricity crisis in the country was the outcome of the mismanagement and not because of the shortage of the electricity. He said the energy sector circular debt was leading to unscheduled and hours long loadshedding in the country that can be eliminated through good governance.
To handle the insecure economic future of the country, he said, Pakistan needs some bold steps and raising new water reservoir is the boldest step the high-ups of country should take to handle the future economic situation.
He said that five water reservoirs had been approved under water vision in which Kalabagh Dam is the only water reservoir that could be completed within five years i.e. till 2013, if work starts right now.
However, Bhasha Dam needed eight years and will complete in 2017 and Neelum-Jehlum will complete till 2016, he added.

DAWN : May 31, 2009