In the history of the development of Pakistan, only a few projects evoke as much discussion, controversy, and conflict as Kalabagh Dam. Once put forward as a solution to the water management and energy crisis of Pakistan, Kalabagh now stands as an unfortunate symbol of national disintegration and clashes. It is as if the irony in the name has been taken too seriously. Kalabagh, the hybrid of kala (dark/black) and bagh (garden), suggests a place full of hope clouded in the shadows of skirmish. In many ways, the Kalabagh Dam remains a stark representation of the polarization and complexities surrounding the country. What was once considered a garden of national progress is now remembered as a dark emblem of shattered dreams and political divisions.

The Kalabagh Dam project, first proposed in the 1950s, was originally conceived as a multipurpose hydroelectric dam addressing the issues of water flooding and power crisis. The anticipated site of construction was the Indus River at Kalabagh in the Mianwali district of Pakistan. The government secured the approval of the World Bank to finance the project. Experts envision that the dam would:

Studies suggest that the dam could alleviate energy and water deficits of Pakistan, providing hydropower at Rs. 3 per unit as compared to the much higher price of thermal power. Yet, despite the continuous validations and reports, the project stalls due to provincial discontent.

The opposition to the Kalabagh Dam has been the loudest in Sindh. Being a lower riparian........

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