ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) announced its unconditional support to the Kalabagh dam (KBD) terming it imperative for the survival of the country. Breaking its long silence over the issue, it also welcomed the action taken by the Supreme Court on water issues and KBD, calling it a ray of hope at a time when Pakistan has become a water-starved country.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, FPCCI acting President Atif Ikram Sheikh and Vice President Karim Aziz Malik said KBD was proposed six decades ago, but it was never implemented due to political controversies. A technical matter has been transformed into a political matter, while the country continues to suffer, they added. The business leaders said Pakistan is considered a developing country where problems like power shortage and unavailability of water need to be taken care of.