The business community of Southern Punjab has reiterated its demand for construction of Kalabagh Dam and a dam in Chiniot on river Chenab immediately as devastating flash floods have brought out the intensive need for new dams. It is a good omen that political circles have realized the importance of new dams particularly Kalabagh Dam project that could pave the way for its early construction.
The flood aftermath looks grim in which over 700,000 villagers have been forced to flee their homes. "The Kalabagh Dam has been so much politicised that a consensus will never be possible. The government will have to take a decision," said Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Mian Iqbal Hassan while talking to newsmen here on Sunday. He said, "An opinion gained widespread support across the country that the losses of recent floods in Pakistan which are estimated to be billion dollars and could have been reduced if big dams and water reservoirs were in place. The dam is the most suitable project for the national economy since it will not only produce cheap and sufficient electricity but also avert the devastation being caused by the floods particularly in South Punjab and Sindh.Mian Iqbal Hassan said that he met a number of engineers who informed him about the feasibility of this mega project. He went on to justify his argument. "The dam is a must to control the poverty and hunger and those who are opposing it are the enemies of this country. The Kalabagh Dam will not only be beneficial to the Punjab alone but also be helpful in erasing poverty in Sindh,and KPK because it will irrigate millions acres of cultivable land in two provinces.
The civil society will have to play a crucial role in creating a larger consensus as new large water reservoirs will benefit every Pakistani. All stakeholders should show some greater maturity on the issue. It is high time that all undue stands were brushed aside to save the country from the era of darkness. He said that unlike Pakistan, India is constructing dams at every possible site. It has left us decades behind and coming time does not promise any good thing either.