The
Kalabagh Dam
By Brigadier (Retd.) Usman Khalid
Director
London Institute of South Asia
London, UK
When it comes to working against
Pakistan, all ethnic nationalists are found to
be on the same side. The MQM never tires of attacking
the Two-Nation Theory. That it opposes the Kalabagh
Dam comes as no surprise. The politics of Sindhi
and Pashtun nationalists is based on hatred of
the Punjab and their opposition to the Kalabagh
Dam is long standing and understandable. But what
about the MMA, PML(N) and the PPP? How will they
sell their anti-Punjab agenda to their constituency?
I heard Saad Rafik of PML (N) say at a press conference
that Kalabagh Dam is a ploy used by General Musharraf
to isolate the Punjab. I have read that the MMA
stand is that Musharraf is using the Kalabagh
Dam to sow seeds of hate between the provinces.
The PPP has abandoned its constituency in the
Punjab and NWFP and its stand is the same as that
of JSQM. The people can see through their spin.
They are playing politics at the expense of the
national interest.
Faced with politics devoid of consistency on national
issues or adherence to any principle, it is not
just the Indian agents among the politicians but
ALL politicians are playing politics. The ruling
party has displayed ineptitude in handling the
situation that bears stark parallels with the
events of 1971. The difference only is that there
were political parties in 1971 that had a national
outlook on national issues and were prepared to
take a patriotic stand even when the country was
led by a buffoon of a soldier. Now, we have no
party or politician who is able or credible in
taking a stand in support of Kalabagh Dam. All
the political parties together have provided a
proof – if any was necessary – that
they cannot be trusted with making decisions in
the interest of the country; their self interest
or party interests come first.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan is extremely naive
in hoping to get the endorsement of politicians
by taking the opposition into confidence. Political
prominence is obtained in Pakistan by a language
of abuse and hate. Politicians do not respond
to logic or arguments; it is the people who do.
The people would be very happy if the anti-dam
politicians, who often say they would not flinch
from any sacrifice, are encouraged to make sacrifices
and spend a long time in jail. After all, the
cause of maintaining water scarcity is dear to
every committed opponent of Pakistan. It is time
for them to rise, be identified, and be counted.
The people do indeed need clarity in politics.
The Government should spend its time and money
on carrying the people – not politicians
- with them.
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