Of Fazal and KBD!
By the Editor

LEADER of the Opposition in the National Assembly and MMA Secretary-General Maulana Fazlur Rehman has opposed construction of Kalabagh Dam terming it as controversial project. Talking to a gathering of his party at Okara, he went a step further and claimed that the KBD was no more a technical matter.

In our view, the heavyweight religious leader turned politician has lowered his image and stature further in the eyes of those who look beyond parochial considerations and think about a prosperous Pakistan. We understand political compulsions of the Maulana, who happens to enjoy status of a Prime Minister in-waiting but finds himself unable to part ways with regional politics.

Some smaller parties and pressure groups of the NWFP and Sindh are only surviving and thriving because of their extreme views against the Punjab and, therefore, their opposition to projects of vital significance like KBD is quite understandable.

However, it is unfortunate that some parties that are supposed to have broader perspective are also toeing lines of smaller parties. We hope that Maulana Fazlur Rehman has full comprehension of his stature, following and the corresponding role in nation-building. The revered Maulana and all other political leaders should have mature approach to economy related national issues and must keep them apart from petty politics.

Criticism of President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for their political or administrative failures is perfectly in line with the democratic culture. In fact, the world over this is the recognized role and responsibility of the Opposition to offer constructive criticism. However, in mature democracy, the Opposition does not restrict itself to mere criticism but also extends a helping hand on issues of national interests.

We do not agree to the Maulana that Kalabagh is no more a technical matter. It is purely a technical issue deeply connected with the economic future of the country but has become a victim of political controversies. A few individuals are misleading people on the issue for the sake of their political survival.

However, majority of people are not only in favour of the construction of Kalabagh Dam but they are unhappy over the slow progress to this effect. We hope that the Maulana and politicians of the sort would grow out of the cocoon to take up national responsibilities.●