Can Pakistan afford to ignore Kalabagh Dam any longer?

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan is going through some serious problems not enough water, high electricity prices, trouble in farming, and dangerous floods every year. The Kalabagh Dam, which was planned many years ago, is still not built even though it could solve many of these issues. It can produce over 3,600 MW of clean electricity, store a lot of water, and help control floods.

Every year during the monsoon season, floods damage homes, farms, and roads, especially in Sindh and southern Punjab. The Kalabagh Dam could help manage the river flow and reduce the damage from these floods, saving the country billions of rupees in losses.

So why is it still on hold? The reasons include political games, lack of trust between provinces, nationalism, and even corruption. Even though experts have said the dam is safe and useful, selfish political interests have stopped the project again and again.

With electricity debt crossing Rs 2,200 billion, energy problems getting worse, and climate disasters happening more often this is no longer a technical issue it’s a test of leadership and courage.

The Kalabagh Dam is more than just a project it’s a lifeline. If we keep delaying, Pakistan will continue to suffer from floods, power cuts, food shortages, and economic damage. The time to act is now before the next disaster strikes.

Now question is that who is actually responsible for delaying this much-needed project?

 

[straighttalk]

Dumpster truck is making something valuable for India to hit IF Munir dares to hit any dams in Indian territory

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Dumpster truck is making something valuable for India to hit IF Munir dares to hit any dams in Indian territory

And how is this relevant to the topic of this thread?

 

[Major]

If you are talking about this from the current situation perspective, than to be honest, the current flooding has nothing to do with Kalabagh as the rivers causing the floods in Punjab are the ones that come from India and are under their control under IWT.

The issue of Kalabagh is due to the lack of trust that exists between the provinces. The only province that is in support of Kalabagh is Punjab. KPK, Sindh and Balochistan are all against it.

The dumbest argument presented is from KPK, so they should be ignored.

Balochistan's stance against it is valid. It is not gonna get any benefit from the dam, because the water that indus gets is already reduced and and after Kalabagh is made the amount will further reduce as Punjab will justify its greater share in water.

The main issue is Sindh vs Punjab. Sindh and Punjab had a water treaty way back in the 90s where it was agreed that Sindh would be allocated a certain amount of water annually and so would be Punjab. Than in 1994 a major drought hit Pakistan, so Punjab decided to take more share and gave Sindh very less water. Their barrages dried up and Sindhi farmers lost 2 years of crop and caused panic. Thus, the mistrust has existed.

Now, the issue in Sindh is that, since its lower territory, the sea water is coming in and causing saline issue, as the sea water is intruding its water areas. They fear that if Kalabagh gets made, that will give full control of waters to Punjab, as they would get to decide when to open and divert its flow towards Punjab.

There is alot of mistrust on this, and it highly unlikely this dam will get made.

The dam is important so that it can store water, but its not just for Punjab.

 

[straighttalk]

And how is this relevant to the topic of this thread?

It is relevant because a dam is a very important lifeline for a country... Munir and lot of others have threatened to attack Indian dams.. Pakistan spending money to build a important dam provide India with some sense of security that our dams will not be targeted. Additionally if Pakistan builds this dam.. they will also think twice before attacking Indian dams which ultimately is good for peace.

 

[BouncerGuy]

It is relevant because a dam is a very important lifeline for a country... Munir and lot of others have threatened to attack Indian dams.. Pakistan spending money to build a important dam provide India with some sense of security that our dams will not be targeted. Additionally if Pakistan builds this dam.. they will also think twice before attacking Indian dams which ultimately is good for peace. Automatically this will reduce violence as military options are ruled out and it will dawn just merely stopping the Islamic terrorists from killing innocents will ensure that IWT is honored.

OK

Now talk about dams for saving water etc.. Take your chat related to war somewhere else.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Kalabagh has always been essential to Pakistan, it's time to discard all foolish excuses hindering it.

 

[Bewal Express]

Its absolutely essential and the concerns of Sindh should be part of the planning process. Sindh will need this as much as the rest of PK with flooding in some years and Indian trying to use water as a weapon of war. No time should be wasted and the other dams

 

[sweep_shot]

If you are talking about this from the current situation perspective, than to be honest, the current flooding has nothing to do with Kalabagh as the rivers causing the floods in Punjab are the ones that come from India and are under their control under IWT.

The issue of Kalabagh is due to the lack of trust that exists between the provinces. The only province that is in support of Kalabagh is Punjab. KPK, Sindh and Balochistan are all against it.

The dumbest argument presented is from KPK, so they should be ignored.

Balochistan's stance against it is valid. It is not gonna get any benefit from the dam, because the water that indus gets is already reduced and and after Kalabagh is made the amount will further reduce as Punjab will justify its greater share in water.

The main issue is Sindh vs Punjab. Sindh and Punjab had a water treaty way back in the 90s where it was agreed that Sindh would be allocated a certain amount of water annually and so would be Punjab. Than in 1994 a major drought hit Pakistan, so Punjab decided to take more share and gave Sindh very less water. Their barrages dried up and Sindhi farmers lost 2 years of crop and caused panic. Thus, the mistrust has existed.

Now, the issue in Sindh is that, since its lower territory, the sea water is coming in and causing saline issue, as the sea water is intruding its water areas. They fear that if Kalabagh gets made, that will give full control of waters to Punjab, as they would get to decide when to open and divert its flow towards Punjab.

There is alot of mistrust on this, and it highly unlikely this dam will get made.

The dam is important so that it can store water, but its not just for Punjab.

Provinces should look at bigger picture. Country should come first.

Maybe federal government should get involved and complete the dam?

 

[Major]

Provinces should look at bigger picture. Country should come first.

Maybe federal government should get involved and complete the dam?

doenst come under federal. And provincial concerns are valid.

 

[BouncerGuy]

THREAD IS NOT ABOUT RELIGIONS AND TERRORISM..

STAY ON TOPIC NOW

 

[Bhaijaan]

It is relevant because a dam is a very important lifeline for a country... Munir and lot of others have threatened to attack Indian dams.. Pakistan spending money to build a important dam provide India with some sense of security that our dams will not be targeted. Additionally if Pakistan builds this dam.. they will also think twice before attacking Indian dams which ultimately is good for peace.

You’re taking the threats of a few circus jokers far too seriously. Just months ago, India demonstrated its might by Batista bonbing Pakistan, striking military targets with BrahMos missilesleaving Pakistan powerless to respond. The truth is, they neither have the capability nor the will to carry out even a fraction of the threats they make.

India is leagues ahead as a military power. The destruction it can inflict on Pakistan in mere hours using conventional weapons alone would be catastrophic. The only reason Pakistan avoided territorial losses in May 2025 was not due to their resilience but because such an objective was never part of India’s operational plan.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Kalabagh proposal finds no takers, save for Punjab

After igniting a storm over his ‘conditional’ support for the controversial Kalabagh Dam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday doubled down on his statement, saying it was the need of the hour.

The KP CM’s support for the long-proposed-but-never-built project stirred a veritable hornet’s nest, with even his own party leaders opposing his endorsement for the controversial project.

However, the maverick politician’s views prompted endorsement from unlikely quarters — the Punjab government, led by PML-N.

A day earlier, at rain-hit event held at KP House in Islamabad, the KP CM had expressed ‘conditional support’ for projects like the Kalabagh Dam, saying they were necessary for the sake of future generations.

However, in the same breath, he said that the reservations of all stakeholders, including provinces, should be addressed prior to its construction.

Political circles have been abuzz since then, with many struggling to decide whether to view his remarks as courageous or foolhardy.

In another interaction with journalists in the capital on Tuesday, CM Gandapur referred to international studies that favoured the construction of the controversial Kalabagh Dam.

He said he had brought up the issue during a recent meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), but claimed that some “foolish people” were against it.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Tuesday said that for the first time, the Punjab government had found itself in agreement with the KP CM on this issue. Speaking at a presser, she said that Punjab endorsed what Mr Gandapur had said about the Kalabagh Dam.

She said that Pakistan was among the countries most severely affected by climate change, making the construction of new dams a national necessity. She even suggested that all provinces should work on a joint action plan.

But the KP CM’s statement had his own party puzzled. PTI leader and former National Assembly speak Asad Qaiser told Dawn Mr Gandapur’s statement did not reflect party policy.

“The party has always made it clear that there should not be any controversial project in Pakistan. At the moment, there is need to strengthen the federation. The policy of Imran Khan is very clear, no such project can be started without consensus and the same has been suggested by the party’s Central Executive Committee,” he said.

Asked why he thought the chief minister would make such a statement, Mr Qaiser said that Gandapur should not have discussed the controversial issue.

“I cannot fathom how he has made the statement without discussing it within the party. I would say that it is his personal opinion and not party policy”, he added.

Meanwhile, PTI Sindh leader Haleem Adil Sheikh called the proposal a “dead horse” which the party has never supported.

In a statement, Mr Sheikh said that jailed PTI founder Imran Khan had repeatedly opposed the controversial dam’s construction during his tenure, making the party’s stance clear.PPP leader Nisar Khuhro also expressed his annoyance over the KP CM’s statement, recalling that Sindh, KP and Balochistan have opposed the project in the past.

DAWN NEWS

 

[straighttalk]

You’re taking the threats of a few circus jokers far too seriously. Just months ago, India demonstrated its might by Batista bonbing Pakistan, striking military targets with BrahMos missilesleaving Pakistan powerless to respond. The truth is, they neither have the capability nor the will to carry out even a fraction of the threats they make.

India is leagues ahead as a military power. The destruction it can inflict on Pakistan in mere hours using conventional weapons alone would be catastrophic. The only reason Pakistan avoided territorial losses in May 2025 was not due to their resilience but because such an objective was never part of India’s operational plan.

Having a dam prevent them from trying any misadventure. Munir has shown he is militarily incompetent but diplomatically smart. By handing over a terrorist and crypto bribing he has reset his country's relationship. By fake propaganda and narrative warfare he has made his awam consider him a hero. His battlefield failures are unknown to his own countrymen as you can see. Yes BJP is also a hero to Indian people but as a country we lost a steady relationship with US, more than the direct tarrifs impact we lose out on being the manufacturing. Hub which is a big loss for us. Add in the fact that we now have to give up stuff to mend relationship with China who are our rival.. I would say those symbolic battlefield strikes pale in comparison to the strategic cost.
Munir will try again as in 2028 the failed state will become a pariah again and we need to be smarter to deal him the death blow like we have inflicted on every Paksitani dictator from 65 71 Kargil siachen
Defeating Pakistan in battlefield is easy... We have 0 intention in occupying their land.. but they need to unmasked for the losers they are in front of the people... In that sense IWT is a big knob. Respond via water to any terrorist attack.. force Paksitan to react and then impose massive ecological cost on a small geographically locked country.

 

[IronShield]

Having a dam prevent them from trying any misadventure. Munir has shown he is militarily incompetent but diplomatically smart. By handing over a terrorist and crypto bribing he has reset his country's relationship. By fake propaganda and narrative warfare he has made his awam consider him a hero. His battlefield failures are unknown to his own countrymen as you can see. Yes BJP is also a hero to Indian people but as a country we lost a steady relationship with US, more than the direct tarrifs impact we lose out on being the manufacturing. Hub which is a big loss for us. Add in the fact that we now have to give up stuff to mend relationship with China who are our rival.. I would say those symbolic battlefield strikes pale in comparison to the strategic cost.
Munir will try again as in 2028 the failed state will become a pariah again and we need to be smarter to deal him the death blow like we have inflicted on every Paksitani dictator from 65 71 Kargil siachen
Defeating Pakistan in battlefield is easy... We have 0 intention in occupying their land.. but they need to unmasked for the losers they are in front of the people... In that sense IWT is a big knob. Respond via water to any terrorist attack.. force Paksitan to react and then impose massive ecological cost on a small geographically locke

I am no fan of Munir by any imagination but it is your country that his given him a new lease of life and fame by getting beaten in a fight that you started. Your airforce was grounded and unable to do anything..... I mean seriously, just by repeating your delusions does not make it true and never will. You are no rival for China and never will be. You can hardly fight with Pakistan as we found out.

You should start worrying about how many pieces India will get broken into if and when world powers put their mind to it, just like in the olden days. There are many fault lines that can be exploited in India. Pakistan should be the least of your worries.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

PTI distances itself from KP CM’s remarks on Kalabagh Dam

Signaling internal differences, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday distanced itself from recent remarks by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur regarding the Kalabagh Dam.

Speaking to the media outside an Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said Ali Amin Gandapur’s comments reflected his personal opinion and not the party’s official policy.

He reiterated that both Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have long-standing reservations over the construction of the Kalabagh Dam.

“Any project opposed by two provinces cannot be in the interest of the federation,” he said, adding that no such project could be implemented without consensus and political harmony among all stakeholders.

Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced his strong support for the construction of the Kalabagh Dam, urging the Sindh government to engage in dialogue to resolve the issues surrounding the project.

The Kalabagh Dam is a proposed hydroelectric project located on the Indus River in Mianwali District, Punjab. However, it has faced significant opposition from political parties in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Speaking to journalists in Peshawar, Gandapur emphasized that the Kalabagh Dam is vital for Pakistan’s future, calling it the “backbone” of the country’s water and energy needs.

PTI distances itself from KP CM’s remarks on Kalabagh Dam

PTI on Wednesday distanced itself from recent remarks by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur regarding the Kalabagh Dam.

arynews.tv

 

[straighttalk]

I am no fan of Munir by any imagination but it is your country that his given him a new lease of life and fame by getting beaten in a fight that you started. Your airforce was grounded and unable to do anything..... I mean seriously, just by repeating your delusions does not make it true and never will. You are no rival for China and never will be. You can hardly fight with Pakistan as we found out.

You should start worrying about how many pieces India will get broken into if and when world powers put their mind to it, just like in the olden days. There are many fault lines that can be exploited in India. Pakistan should be the least of your worries.

You can keep on harping.. India can dominate Pakistan in every battlefield scenario. Including Sindoor Kargil siachen 71 65 etc.. it's not an issue.. getting into a tarrifs war with trump is the issue. We simply don't care about Paksitan as long as you guys don't send terrorists. We just decide what is the quantum of punishment we want to inflict on you guys.. the truth is there for all to see... IWT is suspended.. Kashmir hasn't changed in 70 years... We are building Dams and you Munir can't do anything militarily other than giving speeches.