Water issue to be resolved through negotiations: Moonis

CM Murad says IRSA must ensure link canals aren't opened during Kharif season

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi on Monday said it was imperative to take all stakeholders on board to resolve issues, including the one pertaining to water distribution.

He expressed these views in a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali held to deliberate on the issue of water distribution among provinces in the light of Sindh’s complaints of receiving less water than its settled share as per the 1991 water accord.

Speaking on the occasion, Moonis Elahi said that the federal government wanted to take all stakeholders on board on water distribution and intend to resolve the issues through dialogue. The CM appreciated the federal minister's efforts and steps to resolve the issue through discussion.

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Murad also discussed downstream Kotri with Chaudhry Moonis Elahi and said that it was necessary to release water in the sea to save the Delta.

Syed Murad Ali Shah said the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) should ensure that link canals should not be opened during the Kharif season.

The meeting was a follow-up of Elahi’s Sept 12 meeting with Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in which Moonis discussed the issues of water distribution with the opposition party leader.