Punjab’s Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bukhari, expressed her agreement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s support for building the Kalabagh Dam. Speaking at a press conference at the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR), she stressed that if preparations were not made for the water flow from the three rivers, irreparable damage could occur.
Azma Bukhari highlighted that flood threats remain in Multan and southern Punjab. She assured that the Punjab government would continue relief efforts until every affected family is resettled. She warned that the flood situation is very dangerous, and efforts are underway to protect Multan. She also expressed concern that floods in Sindh would cause further hardships for Punjab.
Responding to a question, she said she agrees with Ali Amin Gandapur’s call for building the Kalabagh Dam for the first time. She emphasized the need for consensus and collective decision-making. She also reported that floods have claimed 41 lives so far.
Azma Bukhari condemned those spreading propaganda to create panic amid flood devastation. She praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s efforts, saying they are effective even without input from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). She also urged militants from the riverbank areas to surrender and promised full facilities upon their return.
The minister noted that the Indian High Commission sometimes warns Pakistan about water flows. She reiterated that without proper preparation for water from the three rivers, the damage could be disastrous.
This statement followed Ali Amin Gandapur’s recent remarks supporting the Kalabagh Dam, saying provincial politics should not harm the entire country. He emphasized that national interests must come first, and the dam should be built with all provinces’ agreement for future benefits.