Pity the nation where the media is silent on issues of such national importance.
LAHORE: The Indus River System Auhtoriy has made a 40 per cent cut in Punjab’s share of river waters, another stepmotherly act of the federal government that has adversely affected Punjab’s farmers. The three eastern rivers were surrendered to India on the condition that water would be transferred from the western rivers to the canals in north and south Punjab, which were previously serviced by the rivers Ravi and Sutlej. The Tarbela Dam was built as a replacement dam for this very purpose. Northern Punjab is already being denied any water from the Tarbela Dam and now water to south Punjab has also been curtailed.
The intent of the Indus Water Treaty could not have been to deny north and south Punjab the waters of the eastern rivers without making provisions for the replacement of waters through the western rivers. There appears to be total ignorance of the factual position for which a major part of the print and electronic media must take responsibility. Pity the nation where the media is silent on issues of such national importance. Are the authorities concerned waiting for water riots to start among Punjab’s farmers like the on-going power riots?
Engr Khurshid Anwer
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2012.
