DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain has reiterated the party’s firm stance against the Kalabagh Dam project, stating that it remains a dead project. Quoting Bacha Khan and Wali Khan’s historic opposition to the dam, Hussain emphasized that ANP will not allow the project to be revived under any circumstances.
Hussain expressed solidarity with the people of Punjab over recent losses but rejected claims that the Kalabagh Dam could have prevented the floods, clarifying that the floodwaters were due to Indian rivers, not a lack of the dam. He criticized those attempting to mislead the public with baseless statements.
He further rejected the notion of constructing Kalabagh Dam, calling it a disaster for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan, and stressed that any future dams should benefit all provinces equally, proposing the construction of the larger Bhasha Dam instead.
Hussain also criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Mahmood Khan, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over the province’s welfare. He said Khan’s stance is tantamount to betrayal and warned that ANP will not compromise on the province’s interests.
The ANP leader concluded by making it clear that the party rejects Kalabagh Dam “in unequivocal terms” and will not be swayed by any pressure or conspiracy.
