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Pakistan to build big dams

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Musharraf promises to safeguard the interests of all concerned

ISLAMABAD: Carrying forward his resolve to construct big dams despite objections from smaller provinces, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday promised "constitutional and administrative guarantees" to safeguard the interests of all concerned.

The recent announcement of Gen. Musharraf on the construction of big reservoirs triggered a major political crisis with three of the four Provincial Assemblies accusing the federal Government of favouring Punjab.

Gen. Musharraf's contention that big dams were needed to take care of the water requirements of the country has not been disputed. The bone of contention is the Kalabagh dam, which the smaller provinces believe would jeopardise their interests.

Undeterred by the opposition from the provinces and the critics of big dams, Gen. Musharraf has embarked on a tour of the country to mobilise public support.

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