'Kalabagh Dam Over Dead Bodies' Talk Shows Ignorance, Says Ali Amin Gandapur

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has stressed the need for building new water reservoirs, including the Kalabagh Dam, through national consensus. He said objections from Sindh regarding the project must be resolved, while compensation should be provided to those who might suffer losses.

Speaking to journalists, Gandapur criticized those opposing the dam with extreme rhetoric.“Those who say Kalabagh Dam will be built over dead bodies are showing ignorance,” he remarked, adding that Pakistan Peoples Party leader Nisar Khuhro was making political statements.“Resolutions keep coming to the assembly. If I or anyone else says something wrong, can it not be corrected?” he questioned.

He emphasized that decisions should be revisited in the national interest.“If Imran Khan opposes Kalabagh Dam, I will stand with him. His decision will be final,” he declared.

Gandapur revealed that during a meeting held a day before Eid, he had raised the need to construct Kalabagh Dam, saying it was essential to save the state.“Afterwards, Khawaja Asif came out and said people speak differently in meetings. I had suggested convening an NFC meeting and starting work,” he claimed.

The Chief Minister accused the federal government of failing to provide aid to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during floods.“They gave us nothing. At least hand over BISP funds for two years so we can give lump-sum payments to flood victims and help them stand on their feet,” he urged.

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Commenting on the May 9 violence, Gandapur said:“Punjab Police were responsible for what happened on May 9. Imran Khan has repeatedly said whoever did it was wrong. Why are they asking us to apologize? Why were people not stopped that day?” He alleged that establishment operatives had abducted people from his region.“I do not talk about apologies; I talk about the country. What happened has happened. Now we need to move forward for the nation. We must sit together for the country's betterment,” he added.

Gandapur said Imran Khan supports a presidential system.“Hold a presidential election once, and Imran Khan will win everywhere,” he claimed. On the issue of creating new provinces, he said he had discussed the matter with Imran Khan.“It's my personal opinion that new provinces should be formed. How can one secretary manage Punjab's education department?” he asked.

The Chief Minister clarified that the army had never interfered in provincial matters. Commenting on Khan's remarks about the army chief, Gandapur said trust had eroded because of repeated betrayals in dialogue.“I support dialogue, but the final decision rests with Imran Khan. For the country's progress, we must sit and talk,” he stressed.

On human rights violations, Gandapur said:“What happened to us has no example in the world. If similar things happened in 2018, it was wrong. In Rana Sanaullah's case, Fawad Chaudhry and I said it was wrong; no one carries such material in their own vehicle. Imran Khan even summoned the DG ANF in the next cabinet meeting, and while he claimed they had evidence, no video was shown. I even stopped Shehryar Afridi from swearing an oath on this matter. Whoever did wrong, did wrong,” he said.

Responding to a question about the Charter of Democracy, Gandapur said Imran Khan had previously formed a committee to hold talks with political parties.“If I meet him, I will urge him to initiate dialogue. May Allah grant wisdom to government politicians,” he remarked.

About Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Gandapur said:“He has always benefited from the system and plays games for a few days. Our own fools gave him importance. He never gives his people for free,” he added. Praising Punjab, Gandapur said:“Agriculture has advanced there, livestock has improved, technology has progressed. Sindh and KP are lagging; we need to talk about everyone.”

Highlighting the potential benefits of irrigation projects, Gandapur said:“If a left canal is constructed, 2.4 million acres of land in Dera Ismail Khan will become cultivable. Sindh's canal areas were devastated by floods in 2022; we should save this water too,” he concluded.

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