The report pointed out, in its deliberations and interaction with all stakeholders, it was established that there was consensus on building of Basha dam.
The panel contended some confidence-building measures, including implementation of 41 projects worth Rs 56.5 billion to harness 6.54maf of flood runoff in Balochistan, first Lift Irrigation project to utilise 0.78maf of NWFP's share under the 1991 water accord, construction of 20 small dams, strict implementation of water accord and allaying apprehensions of Sindh about Kalabagh dam.
The committee also called for review of Wapda's organisational setup and studies for appropriate representation of all four provinces in decision-making. This will help build confidence and credibility of the organisation.
The committee report, signed by its chairman Nisar A Memon and seven other members of the parliament, including senators Naseer Mengal, Dilawar Abbas, Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli and MNAs, Abdul Qadir Al-Gillani, M.A. Malkani, Jehangir Tareen and Sher Akbar, noted no province objected to Basha dam; Punjab wanted Basha to be taken up with Kalabagh.
The opposition parties decided not to be part of the committee and its representation was merely limited to ruling coalition lawmakers.
Opposition leader Raza Rabbani contended the committee had no constitutional status, as it was formed by National Assembly speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain through a resolution and co-opted by Senate.
"Therefore, the committee has no constitutional foundation and its recommendations, too, have no value," he maintained.
He also challenged the credibility of the panel chairman, saying Senator Nisar, who is also chairman of the Senate committee on defence, recently reversed a decision made by consensus, earlier. It pointed out large dams needed to be built but with consensus.
The panel called the 1991 water accord as sacrosanct and underscored the need for its implementation in toto without any reference to 1994 ministerial decisions.
The committee was constituted in October 2003 and it started work in November and closed it deliberations in August 2004 and submitted the interim report to Prime Minister in September last year.
It recognised the need for minimum escapades below Kotri to check sea intrusion with Sindh insisting the minimum level of releasing water was 10 million acre-feet that was discussed at length and called for further studies in this connection.
The committee chairman expressed the hope the implementation of panel's recommendations would not only unleash positive growth, but also weld unity of the federation with even stronger bonds.
About water shortage, the committee noted the country's existing reservoirs - Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma - are silting up and to date some 3.58 million acre-feet (23 percent) of combined storage capacity has been lost.
It is projected by 2010, the combined storage capacity would be 5.1maf (32 percent) with rapidly growing population, Pakistan is likely to become water scarce country by 2010.
The committee called for building mutual trust to implement major decisions.