According to the opposition leaders the construction of Kalabagh Dam was not only rejected by the three federating units but it has also been termed harmful to the very interests of the country.
"With construction of proposed Kalabagh Dam lush green agricultural lands of NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan would be rendered barren," were the contents of a resolution adopted in the well attended rally arranged by Awami National Party (ANP) a strong opponent of the project at Jehangira town, situated on main G.T. Road connecting federal capital with the Frontier province.
It also urged the World Bank and other international financial institutions not to finance this controversial project, which according to them is against the interest of smaller provinces.
Beside the workers of ANP the rally was also attended by a large number of activists and workers of Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarian, Pakistan People's Party (Sherpao), both the factions of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Pakistan Tehrik Insaf and others.
Besides ANP's Asfandyar Wali Khan, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Afrasiab Khattak and Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the rally was addressed by chief of Pukhtoonkhwa Quami Party Mohammad Afzal Khan, Pukhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party's Mukhtiar Yousafzai, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian's Provincial President Rahim Dad Khan, PPP (S) Mian Muzzafar Shah, JUI (F) Senator Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, Jamaat Islami's MNA Maulana Mohammad Usman, JUI (S) MNA Maulana Hamid Ul Haq Haqqani and Pakistan Tehrik Insaf Provincial President Abdul Akbar Khan Matta.
Senator Sanaullah Baloch of Balochistan National Party, Senator Amanullah Kandori of Jamhoori Watan Party, Abdul Hayee Baloch of Balochistan National Movement and Abdul Qadar Ramto General Secretary of Sindh Awami Tehrik also addressed the rally.
The participants remained on feet while roaming on road right from morning till late afternoon. Member of National Assembly Maulana Atta Ur Rehman, who is younger brother of JUI (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, opposition leader in National Assembly, also remained present in the rally.
Since her removal from the party office about one year back, Begum Nasim Wali Khan appeared in party's first-ever public rally against the construction of proposed Kalabagh Dam. Former ANP president Ajmal Khattak was unable to address due to health conditions.
Almost all the leaders and speakers opposed and rejected construction of the proposed Kalabagh Dam with identical remarks, which according to them is harmful to the very interests of three smaller provinces. In this respect, certain speakers have also pointed out some data in support of their point of view. They all reminded that no other than late provincial martial law administrator and governor Lieutenant General Fazale Haq (Retd) had opposed construction of the dam. Likewise was the stance of late NWFP chief minister Mir Afzal Khan.
Addressing the rally ANP chief Senator Asfandyar Wali Khan said that they are waging struggle for rights of the province rather waging a war for survival. He said that Kalabagh Dam has become a matter of life and death for Pukhtoons.
He informed the audience that some one year back, he had personally told President General Pervez Musharraf that Pakistan and Kalabagh Dam couldn't go along, therefore, this project must be abandoned forever. "We have been pushed to a wall, whereas we are left with no options others than surrender or embarking on resistance," he remarked.
He alleged that with insisting on construction of Kalabagh Dam, some one is indulging him in disintegration of the country. He recalled that in early 60's his elders have time and again asked for reviewing of anti-smaller provinces decisions and behaviours but such appeals have been turned to a deaf ear thus paving the ways for disintegration of the country in early 70's.
Khan said that at this stage President Musharraf would be responsible for disintegration of the country whenever he announces construction of what he called harmful and controversial Kalabagh Dam.
Leaders and representatives of PPPP, PPP (S), JUI (F), JUI (S), PTI and others have confined themselves to the issue of proposed project of Kalabagh Dam but all of them have endorsed the apprehensions of their counterparts from nationalist political forces, that this project is harmful to the interests of federation.
The JI MNA from Swabi said that with construction of both Kalabagh and Akhori Dam, federal government was giving an opportunity to get control of Indus water and its benefit and close Tarbela Dam. While JUI (F) Senator Gul Naseeb Khan accused the military rulers of always working against interests of the country and democratic process. Mian Muzafar Shah of PPP(S), Rahim Dad Khan of PPPP, MNA Maulana Hamid Ul Haq and PTI's Abdul Akbar Khan said that all political forces of the province are united on this matter.
Muhammad Afzal Khan, Senator Sana Ullah Baloch, Abdul Hayee Baloch, Senator Aman Ullah Abdul Qadar Ramto and Mukhtiar Ali Yousafzai along with opposing construction of proposed Kalabagh Dam have also expressed severe concern over military operation in Balochistan.
Through a resolution, the rally while opposing construction of the proposed dam also alleged that President General Pervez Musharraf creating confrontation amongst the federating units, which is contrary to the very interests of the federation. In this connection, it urged for honouring unanimous resolutions adopted by assemblies of three out of four federating units. It called upon people from all over the province in general, politicians, parliamentarians, technocrats and public opinion makers to come forward and fulfil their due responsibilities in move against the proposed project.