LARKANA: While the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) on Monday reaffirmed its strong opposition to the Kalabagh dam project by any name, the Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Muslim Legaue-Quaid (PML-Q) renounced its Punjab leadership`s idea of reviving the project by changing its nomenclature.

Sindh PML-Q general secretary Babu Serwar Siyal strongly criticised the party`sPunjabpresident Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for vehemently supporting the project while speaking at the recently held `National Seminar on Kalabagh dam` and suggesting that it should be renamed and revived.

Mr Siyal told Dawn that the Sindh chapter of the party stood against the `anti-Sindh` project, which had already been rejected by the Sindh, BalochistanandKhyber-Pakhtunkhwa assemblies. `We will register our viewpoint with the central leadership of the PML-Q. We will write to [PML-Q chief] Chaudhry Shuja`at Hussain and [general secretary] Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed telling them to desistfrom issuing such statements,` he said.

Mr Siyal apprehended that issuing such statements at this juncture would only undermine the PML-Q`s popularity in Sindh. He recalled that during his visit to Pathan village in Larkana on Dec 15, 2012, Chaudhry Shuja`at had declared that the Kalabagh dam issue had become a `dead horse`.

JSQM also rejects idea Reacting to the PML-Q leader`s remarks, the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz on Monday reiterated its stance against the dam project.

JSQM chairman Sannan Qureshi speaking at a press conference at the local press club categorically stated that his party, like the people of Sindh, would never accept construction of the dam by any name.

He said the revival of the project in any shape or nomenclature could not be tolerated by any Sindhi as it was an anti-Sindh project bound to ruin the economy of the province. `The JSQM will continue to oppose it tooth and nail,` he said.

Accompanied by other senior party leaders including Mumtaz Shaikh, AsifMagsi, Momin Sammo and Basheer Shar, Mr Qureshi also dealt with other issues of Sindh and its people.

Referring to reports about death threats being faced by Sindhispeaking employees of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, he said the act on the part of a linguistic party was uncalled for. `We are here to protect the harassment victims, who should not feel themselves alone,` he added.

Mr Qureshi claimed that the victims had approached his party for help and were assured of due protection.He said some elements were trying to pit Sindhand Urdu-speaking people against each other but their designs would be foiled.

The JSQM chief held both federal and Sindh government responsible for the plight of Tharis, and said billions of rupees were withdrawn from the treasury in the name of so-called relief packages for them but siphoned off.

Tharis remained without any relief and continued to face aggravating drought and deaths, he said.

In reply to a question, Mr Qureshi declared that his party would not allow division of Sindh.