Consensus to be evolved on new dams: Rashid
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Tuesday reiterated that Kalabagh Dam would be constructed with the consensus of all political parties and called upon the media to expose elements misguiding the nation on the issue.
“Sindh Chief Minister Dr.Arbab Rahim has extended full support of his government on the issue of Kalabagh Dam,” the Information Minister said while talking to newsmen at a local hotel here today on the occasion of a seminar organised by Mir Khalilur Rehman Society. Rashid dispelled impression from certain quarters that Kalabagh Dam would render Sindh barren and clarified that it was in fact aimed at ensuring progress and prosperity of the province.
“Misgivings of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Sindh would be removed on the issue of Kalabagh Dam and they would be taken on board,” the Minister maintained. He said even the Chairman Senate Mianmuhammad Soomro has also endorsed construction of the dam. Minister said the next one year would be vital in national politics in the sense that Swiss case verdict about Pakistan People’s Party was on hand.
“This is of course a question of life and death of a political party”, the Minister said adding nation would see general elections in 2007 and assured that hectic activities of national reconstruction would be carried on during the period, he maintained. He pointed out that government would also distribute every penny among the victims of the quake.