Govt assures equal distribution of water among province

The government on Monday assured the Senate of equal distribution of water among provinces in a transparent manner.

Parliamentary Affairs State Minister Ali Muhammad Khan told the upper house of parliament that an amount of $300 billion had been spent on the irrigation system but due to weak strategies, the provinces were still facing water shortage issue.

Replying to a motion moved by Senator Gianchand, the minister said that the government had initiated various plans to address the issue of water through establishing mega and small dams in the country.

Unfortunately after 1980, the successive governments did nothing to build dams, therefore, the country was facing acute water scarcity, he told the house. However, he added, the present government would address this issue.

“Pakistan has the best irrigation system but the past governments couldn't get any benefit from this system and failed to make strong and long-term policies,” he said. “Pakistan had to face water scarcity and flood situation several time due to Indian water terrorism,” he added.

Earlier, in his motion, Gianchand underscored the importance of telemetering system for distribution of water among the provinces. “Without the telemetry system, the concerns and issues of the provinces on water share will remain unresolved,” he said.

Gianchand hopes that the federal government would consider his motion and take appropriate action in this regard. His suggestion was endorsed by Senator Sana Jamali, who also called for early resolution of the water distribution matters.

Senator Sikandar Mandhro said that it was an old issue, which should be addressed now to satisfy the provinces. Senator Sassui Palijo said that telemetry system was essential to equal distribution of water among the provinces.

Later, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani referred the matter to the committee concerned for further discussion and recommendations.

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi raised the issue of the killing of a student. Hyderi said that Hayat Baloch was killed in front of his parents and no weapons were recovered from him.

“If he didn't have a Kalashnikov in his hand, why wasn't he arrested?” he asked. He warned that Hayat Baloch's case could take a serious turn. “If the children are killed in front of their parents, will they offer flowers?”

WITH INPUT FROM APP