MUTTAHIDA QUAMI MOVEMENT WILL NOT SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KALABGAH DAM – RABITA COMMITTEE

London – 18 December 2005 The Central Co-ordination Committee (Rabita Committee) of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has unanimously decided not to support the construction of the Kalabagh Dam in its long and emergency meeting held at its Head Office in Karachi and at the International Secretariat in London simultaneously.

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) addressing the meeting of the Central Co-ordination Committee sought the opinion of all its members individually and it was unanimously decided that MQM will not support the construction of the Kalabagh Dam and will face any consequences resulting from its opposition.

The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee said that 3 provinces of the country are against the Kalabagh Dam and bulldozing the unanimous decision of 3 smaller provinces would be morally wrong and against the principles of democracy and would not be in the interests of the country and its people. They further added that the maximum restiveness and apprehensions exists amongst the people of Sindh regarding the construction of the Kalabagh Dam and the peoples of Sindh are also unanimously against the construction of the Kalabagh Dam. The Members of the Rabita Committee emphasised that the MQM cannot even dream of taking such steps which would be against the aspirations of the people of Sindh and would always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sindh.

Mr Altaf Hussain after having heard the views of all the Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee ratified their unanimous decision of not supporting the construction of the Kalabagh Dam. Addressing the people of Punjab, Mr Hussain asked them to understand the apprehensions and concerns of the smaller provinces and demonstrate solidarity with the people of the smaller provinces, which would help develop national integration and harmony, end the differences and dichotomy between the people of Punjab and 3 smaller provinces. This act of the people of Punjab would also help stop creation of further misunderstandings between the people of provinces.