Federal Minister for Communications and President of the Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP), Abdul Aleem Khan, has welcomed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s positive remarks on the construction of the Kalabagh Dam, saying that building new water reservoirs is vital for the country’s survival.
In a statement issued Tuesady, the federal minister said Pakistan could save water losses worth trillions of rupees by constructing new dams.
“Kalabagh Dam and other major reservoirs should only be built with the mutual consent of all provinces,” he emphasized.
Abdul Aleem Khan called for all four provincial assemblies and chief ministers to sit together and reach a consensus on the issue.
“Floods are not a problem of any single province; they are a national crisis. We must treat water scarcity and flooding in a broader perspective,” he added.
The IPP president noted that climate change was worsening Pakistan’s water challenges, underlining the need for both large and small dams. “Immediate construction of small dams across all provinces is inevitable and must be undertaken on an emergency basis,” he said.
Stressing the urgency of a coordinated approach, the federal minister said: “It is our joint responsibility to protect the country from future floods. Remaining divided will not solve the problem. A comprehensive national water policy is essential.”
Abdul Aleem Khan further stated that the Istehkam Pakistan Party is ready to play a full role in forging national consensus on new dams, including Kalabagh. “Water is the number one challenge for the entire country, and only through unity can we prevent disasters and ensure future stability,” he concluded.