Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday voiced strong support for the long-debated Kalabagh Dam, calling it vital for Pakistan’s survival and for safeguarding future generations.

Speaking to the media after a party meeting at KP House in Islamabad, Gandapur said: “Kalabagh Dam is the backbone for us. We cannot let provincial politics harm Pakistan’s interests. The project is for the benefit of the entire country and cannot be pushed aside.”

The KP chief minister lamented that Pakistan had suffered massive destruction from rains and floods because no major dams were built in time.

“We are afraid to even mention the names of some dams. Kalabagh is crucial for the state, and if there are concerns, they must be resolved through dialogue,” he added.

Gandapur said KP was ready to contribute its share for the dam’s construction and called on other provinces to do the same.

He stressed that delays in dam projects had caused heavy losses, but the provincial government had now accelerated work on smaller reservoirs.

He noted that last year KP completed six dams, including the Gomal Zam Dam, which helped reduce flood damage.

“We are now building dams in various districts to tackle natural disasters. For Peshawar’s safety, Jabba Dam is under construction, while a protective wall is being built at Budhni to safeguard against flooding,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gandapur chaired a video-link meeting on flood relief and rehabilitation efforts across the province.

The meeting was attended by the provincial finance adviser, chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home), secretary relief, PDMA director general, and deputy commissioners of the affected districts.

Officials informed the CM that 411 people had lost their lives in the recent rains and floods, with compensation of Rs704 million paid to the heirs of 352 victims. Payments worth Rs30 million had also been made to 60 of the 132 injured.

On private property losses, the meeting was told that of the 571 destroyed houses, compensation had been paid to 367 owners, while 1,094 owners of partially damaged homes out of 1,983 had also received Rs595 million in payments.

The chief minister directed the immediate release of compensation to remaining victims, urgent restoration of damaged public infrastructure, and clearance of water channels to prevent further flooding.