Int’l conclave on crucial water issues planned

LJCP-hosted conference to discuss water treaty, construction of dams

ISLAMABAD: Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) is going to hold the first ever global conclave on crucial water issues including Indus Water Treaty, construction of dams & financing.

A senior official revealed The Express Tribune that LJCP under the chairmanship of Mian Saqib Nisar is going to hold a two day international conference on water issues in the next month (September), wherein international experts on water management have been invited.

Three issues including the Indus Water Treaty, depletion of underground water management and construction and financing of dams have been identified to discuss at the conference, he further informed.



The Supreme Court led by CJP Saqib Nisar is actively perusing issues related to shortage of water. The issue was initiated when the top judge took up a case regarding construction of the Kala Bagh dam. According to the CJP, acute water shortage is becoming the biggest challenge for the country and requires effective measures in this regard.  Likewise, no disputed dam would be constructed. Several meetings were also held in regard to tackling water issues and finally it was announced that work on the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams will be started soon.  The SC also formed an oversight panel headed by the chairman Wapda for the construction of these dams.

In the meanwhile, the chief justice created special account in the Supreme Court for the collection of funds. Till August 10 Rs827,408,182 (Rs827.40 million) has been collected so far.  Numbers of renowned lawyers, few judges also contributed to the fund. However, no press release has been issued regarding the contributions made by the SC judges but a statement was issued about donations by three Islamabad High Court judges while on the very first day, CJP gave Rs1 million donation for the same.

Likewise, the apex court has also sought legal assistance from renowned lawyers to give their suggestions on water management in the country.  It is learnt that senior lawyers will file written submissions soon.

However, one section of lawyers is raising question over the CJP’s initiative to take measures for the construction of dams and collecting funds for this purpose. The lawyers say that it is the job of executive to do the same.



The lawyers say tracheotomy of powers is being violated, when the meetings are being arranged by the apex court regarding the construction of dams. They say that the top court should give opportunity to the newly elected government to take steps to overcome the water issues.

Though SC is affectively passing directions regarding the construction dams as well as improving the health and education sectors but the apex court is still unable to evolve to put the house in order to introduce judicial reforms.

However, it is learnt that during the last two weeks, the CJP held meetings on enforced disappearances wherein senior officials including three serving military officers participated. Likewise, another meeting has been held on improvement of police procedures, both initiatives have been lauded as they are connected to the judicial system.