Kalabagh Dam Approved!
Cabinet approves construction of 5 dams!
17/01/06
Cabinet approves construction of five dams including KBD
**ISLAMABAD: Federal cabinet has approved construction of five big dams including Kalabagh with priority to Bhasha dam. **President Musharraf will announce construction of dams in his address to the nation tonight. The cabinet approved building of dams in a meeting in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in chair.
The cabinet denounced recent US air strike in Bajaur Agency.
The cabinet discussed the issue of construction of water reservoirs in detail. According to the top official sources all ministers gave their opinion for priority to construction of Bhasha dam. The federal cabinet decided for construction of five big dams including Kalabagh dam with priority to the Bhasha dam project. .
**The decision will be announced by President Pervez Musharraf in his address to the nation tonight at 8:00 P.M. **According to the top official sources Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri gave a briefing to the cabinet on the Bajaur Agency incident. The cabinet condemned US airstrike in Bajaur Agency.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will express Pakistan’s reservations over the incident while talking to US leaders during his visit to America, sources said.
The cabinet also put off approval of SAFTA agreement.
http://www.geo.tv/geonews/details.asp?id=102837&newscategory=pakistan
Re: Kalabagh Dam Approved!
All 5 dams to be built by 2016 !
Re: Kalabagh Dam Approved!
KBD at all costs, says Musharraf
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has announced that besides Bhasha, the Kalabagh dam will be built at every cost by the year 2016 and there is no substance in the speculations that the mega reservoir issue has been put to backburner. “All the dams, including Bhasha, Munda and Kalabagh, will be constructed by 2016. I am supportive of the KBD. There is no substance in the saying the project has been abandoned,” he said while addressing a high-level meeting in Army House on Friday. The president was briefing the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League, Sindh chapter, about his Water Vision at the meeting. He said proper management and construction of water reservoirs was imperative for the economic development of the country. Besides Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro, federal ministers Liaquat Jatoi, Ghous Bakhsh Mehar, Abdul Razzaq Thaheem, Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, provincial ministers Imtiaz Sheikh, Nadir Akmal Leghari, National Security Council Secretary Tariq Aziz, the Ministry of Water and Power secretary and other senior officers attended the meeting. Addressing the meeting, President Musharraf said the announcement has been made for the construction of five major dams by 2016 to forge provincial harmony. “Dams are a necessity. Turning away face from them will be tantamount to committing a mass suicide,” he warned but added, “We will not allow Pakistan to commit suicide.”
The president urged the PML Sindh leadership to shun their internal differences and launch an awareness campaign in an organised manner to evolve a consensus on the dams issue. “The people should be apprised of the importance of these dams at the grassroots level,” he stressed. “We can move forward in a better way after evolving a consensus,” he added. “I will undertake more visits to Sindh if need be. However, my earlier visits have helped remove a lot of misperceptions,” the president said. Musharraf also directed that the PML Sindh be organised at the grassroots level. “The Sindh chief minister, his government and the PML leadership will have to play their role in an organised manner to remove misgivings about dams in the province,” he said. The political leadership of Sindh thanked the president for his announcement of construction of Bhasha and Munda dams saying the president has truly represented sentiments of the people. Appreciating the president’s Water Vision, the delegation expressed its whole-hearted support for the creation of new water reservoirs in the country.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2006-daily/21-01-2006/main/main1.htm
Re: Kalabagh Dam Approved!
A very good move, I must say. Let's wait and see whether he sticks to his words