New Irsa chairman appointed

Punjab and Sindh want water distribution on different formulas. design: essa malik

Punjab Irrigation Chief Engineer Rao Irshad Ali Khan has been appointed as the new chairman of Indus River System Authority (Irsa).

Earlier, Punjab had reservations over the dual representation of Sindh in the authority. It wanted to make appointments from all four provinces on a rotation basis.

Irshad Ali will assume the charge from October 15 on rotation, from the side of Punjab.

An IRSA meeting had been summoned on October 15 but the Punjab government has lodged a protest against calling the meeting so early.

The provinces have been unable to resolve a dispute over a formula for water distribution for the upcoming Rabi season.

Punjab managed to block Sindh’s move for a change in the existing mechanism in the wake of an expected shortage of 10-15 per cent.

Just three months ago, Aman Gul Khattak stepped down from his post as chairman of Irsa.