Basha more feasible than Kalabagh dam, says Durrani
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—Referring to the committee’s report on Kalabagh dam, the NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani Saturday said that central government should initially start construction work on Basha dam, as technically and politically it was more feasible than Kalabagh Dam, which would help resolve the water scarcity in the country.
He was talking to reporters at the end of inaugural ceremony of 12th Pakistan Gems and Mineral Show at a local hotel. Durrani said that there was a dire need of big dams, adding that Basha dam was more feasible than Kalabagh dam, which would solve the irrigation as well as drinking water problem.
Talking about Hisba Bill the chief minister disclosed that he had signed the amended summary of the bill, which excluded all the objected clauses of the bill by the Supreme Court. He said the summary would be discussed in the upcoming cabinet meeting to be held on 9th of this month. After thoroughly examining the summary, Durrani said, it would be presented in the provincial assembly.
Rejecting the impression regarding the rift in the MMA’s rank he said that there was no rift in MMA and all the parties in religious alliance had only made seat adjustment with other political parties in the local government election.
“We will call the supreme council meeting after the third phase of local government polls and would show the people that there has no rift in the alliance”, the chief minister said.
About the NFC Award, Akram Khan Durrani said that the center should equally distribute share among the provinces from divisible pool adding NWFP was a poor province and it needed more funds for its development.
Earlier addressing the opening ceremony of three days 12th Pakistan Gems and Mineral Show he said Allah Almighty has bestowed NWFP with enormous energy potential, which need to be explored in a way with which the country in general and NWFP in particular could take huge benefits.
He urged the he foreign investors to invest in the province as friendly investors environment was prevailing in NWFP. He criticized the western media for carrying negative picture of Pakistan in general and NWFP in particular and said that there had been cultural and religious freedom for all the sects of the society. He assured full support and cooperation to the traders and businessmen community on the behalf of provincial government.