Provinces asked to formulate water policy

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water Reservoirs Syed Javed Ali Shah has underlined the need for construction of dams to meet the growing demand of water in the country.

“With the construction of dams, wastage of rainy and floodwater can be utilised properly,” he said while talking to a news channel.

He said work on some reservoirs was in progress due to consensus among the stakeholders.

“Upgrading of Mangla Dam has been completed while the projects of Neelum-Jhelum and Diamer-Bhasha will be accomplished in the near future,” he added.

To a question regarding water issues with the neighboring country, he said India was involved in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Pakistan would again seek help from the International Court of Justice regarding Indian violations, he said, and hoped that India would cooperate for resolving the issues with Pakistan regarding the Indus Waters Treaty.

To another question, he said all the provinces should focus on formulating a policy on water and express unanimity on it.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2018.