Islamabad:
Kyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Monday that the construction of the Kalabagh dam was “ Esteale for the State ” and asked that the concerns about the controversial project be discussed by dialogue.
Addressing journalists after a party meeting in Kp House in Islamabad, Gandapur blamed the absence of large dams for the devastation caused by rains and floods.
“We are even afraid to name certain dams. The Kalabagh dam is necessary for the state, and if there are reservations, they should be treated by talks,” he said. “We are ready to contribute our share in its construction, and other provinces should also play their role so that the project can be carried out.”
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وییر اعلی خیبر پختونخوا علی امین گنڈا پ rin pic.twitter.com/g4okuppvdx– PTV News (@ptvnewsofficial) September 1, 2025
The chief minister admitted that delays in the construction of dams had led to disasters. He said his provincial government was taking independent measures, after finishing six dams last year, including Gomal, which reduced flood losses.
“We build dams in various districts to minimize risks in the future,” he added. Gandapur said that a new Jabba dam was under construction to protect Peshawar, while a protective wall had been erected in Budhni to protect the city from floods.
He also discussed recent sudden floods in Buner, saying that they were the result of a Cloudburst and not deforestation. “Cloud explosions occur due to the increase in heat in the atmosphere and can occur anywhere. To block the rocks transported by floods, nets will be installed on the Swiss model,” he said.
