ISLAMABAD: India had never blocked Pakistan’s share of water from the rivers flowing into the country from parts of Indian Kashmir, except for a brief period in 2008, the government said on Thursday.
Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf told the National Assembly that India did not have the capabilities of blocking the flow of Pakistan’s water because it had only run-of-the river projects over Chenab and Sutlej.
The minister said it was in August of 2008 when the flow of Chenab was hindered by the construction of Baglihar Dam by India for a week, but it was never repeated after Pakistan raised objections on the move.
Answering questions in the house, Raja said the criticisms that the government has not been able to get its share from eastern rivers are mostly based on misunderstandings and prejudice.
Ashraf said the government has decided to launch work on non-controversial small and medium dams, including 4,500-megawatts (MWs) Diamer-Bhasha to ensure maximum availability of water and control floods.
He said work on Diamer-Bhasha, Neelum Jhelum hydro-power project and other medium and small dams would be carried on a priority basis to complete them at the earliest as their construction will provide space for water storage.
The minister said that work on Kalabagh Dam could not be launched until developing consensus amongst all stakeholders.
Ashraf said a project to import 2,300 megawatt electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was under consideration and if finalised, it will be completed in four years.
Adviser to the Prime Minister, Ghazanfar Gul, informed the house that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has taken a number of measures to control grey trafficking through unauthorized telephone exchanges and was saving over Rs80 million per month.
Gul informed the National Assembly that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices were increased due to short supply during the last month and also because of the floods.
Degree-awarding status for Dawood College
The National Assembly passed a bill to award Dawood College of Engineering and Technology in Karachi a status of degree awarding institution.
The bill was moved by Minister of Education Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali.
It will now go to Senate for approval and become an act after a ceremonial assent by the president, the final step in the process of legislation.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2010.
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