Govt to launch consensus drive for new dams
By Uzma Zafar

ISLAMABAD—The Government on Thursday decided to take all the political parties into confidence on the construction of major water reservoirs in the country, said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
Briefing Media-persons about the decisions of the Federal Cabinet that met with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in the chair, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, “ the Federal Cabinet has decided to take into confidence all the political parties prior to the construction of big water reservoirs in the country”.
He said the cabinet reached this decision after having a thorough discussion on the matter which bear vital significance for the country. Answering to a question, the Minister said, “all those elements having concerns about the matter would also be taken into confidence.” Copies of the report of Committee on construction of water reservoirs would also be provided, during the course, he added.
Answering to another question, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, the Prime Minister has all the plans to also consult the Opposition on the matter and any final decision would be reached after detailed consultations with all the political parties and stake-holders. He told a questioner that the President and Prime Minister being part of the one system have complete harmony to take along the whole nation on such a vitally important issue. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the Federal Cabinet was thankful to the role and services of President General Pervez Musharraf for organising donor’s conference for the earthquake victims in the country.
He said the Cabinet was apprised that pledges for US $ 2.2 Billion as grants and US $ 4 billion as soft loans were made during the Conference. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the Cabinet was also apprised that next of kin of 37,000 deceased in the October 8 earthquake have been paid financial compensation.
In the quake-afflicted areas over 25,000 houses have been reconstructed besides setting up of 47 modern and well equipped field hospitals, he added.
The cabinet, he said, accorded permission to all the six cellular companies already operating the country to establish their networks in Azad Kashmir. The proceeds from this permission from the interested cell companies would consequently be spent on the uplift and rehabilitation of the earthquake survivors. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the cabinet was also informed that a comprehensive report on new building codes would be submitted to the Federal Cabinet by mid of this month.
He said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz apprised the cabinet of the discussions held at the Malta Commonwealth summit. The Prime Minister welcomed the decisions at the Malta conference with special regard to the withdrawal of subsidiaries by the developed countries that would go a long way in producing  fruitful results for the member developing nations. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Director General Metrological Department Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman gave detailed briefing to the cabinet and informed that there were no chances of any major earthquake in Islamabad in at least next 100 years. However, there could be chances of some mild or moderate aftershocks in the federal capital and surrounding areas. Answering a question on Kashmir, he said the issue is nearing settlement. He said President General Mushrraf took bold stance for opening of Line of Control at several different points, thus paving way to come closer to settlement of the issue. The leaders and people of Kashmir have unanimous opinion for demilitarisation of Kashmir and subsequent installation of self-governing system .