Irrigation minister calls for new dams

Magsi says half of Balochistan’s population is without water

QUETTA: Balochistan Irrigation Minister Nawabzada Tariq Magsi on Friday underscored the need for building dams in the province, while lamenting the lack of access to water in a province where half the population’s livelihood is connected with agriculture and livestock sectors.

“Without water, we can’t save our agriculture fields. Therefore, new dams are imperative for saving the province,” Magsi said.

In a meeting with provincial ministers Mitha Khan and Sardar Abdul Rehman Kethran, Magsi stressed the need to build new dams in Balochistan because of the threat posed by declining water levels to livestock and agriculture sectors.



The two sectors contribute over 50 per cent to the provincial domestic product, while more than half of Balochistan’s 12 million people are directly or indirectly associated with agriculture and livestock.

The minister added that the provincial irrigation department has utilised all resources to enhance the sector, including an increase in the number of water reservoirs.

Citing the erratic rainfall patterns as a reason for increasing water woes, the minister remarked that it made water conservation all the more important.

“The irrigation department has completed a study of new dams while we have decided to take the assistance of Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to select appropriate locations for new dams,” Magsi said, and added that the provincial government would approach the federal government for extra funds for the construction of new dams.