The Federal Water Resource Minister Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah has accused Punjab of a grave injustice by releasing water in the Chashma-Jhelum link canal at a time when Sindh is dealing with a severe shortage.
He was talking to the media in Hyderabad on Saturday after offering condolence to the family of the late Pakistan Peoples Party's MPA Yousuf Kausar Bhatti.
"Punjab is a big brother. It should act cautiously and with responsibility because water is a very sensitive issue," Shah said. According to him, 67,000 cusecs water was released from Taunsa for Guddu barrage in Sindh, but only half of that water reached the latter.
The minister said he had been informed that even on Saturday, Punjab released 8,000 cusecs in the CJ link canal. He reiterated that the canal is supposed to receive water after permission from IRSA when there is a flood situation or excess water in the river, but not during the shortage season.
He said that an inquiry had been ordered to find out where more than 30,000 cusecs water went on the way from Punjab to Sindh. He said that the inquiry will be headed by MNA Khalid Magsi. He expressed hope that the probe will bring forward the facts about the water theft.
The team also consists of members from Punjab and Sindh. They will investigate how much water was in the system and how much was provided to the provinces.
The minister said Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan should also be given a share in the water, adding that Pakistan Peoples Party will raise the issue in the federal cabinet. Shah observed that the whole of Pakistan has been affected by the water shortage.
He informed that he is trying to appoint coordinators at all the barrages in the country. He said the federal water ministry is trying to address the water scarcity problem in Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, and other districts of Sindh.
Responding to a question he said the process of electoral reform will be completed by October this year after which the elections will be held. "We want to hold such transparent elections which are acceptable to all stakeholders." He argued that if elections were held without instituting reforms, the results will become controversial.
He said the ruling coalition will not try to fool the people and overseas Pakistanis like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) which tried to introduce electronic voting machines. He blamed Imran Khan's government for taking Rs22,000 billion n loans. "He hasn't mentioned this in any of his eight recent public meetings."
Shah accused Khan of being a thief, alleging that even he stole foreign gifts which were kept in Toshakhana. He also criticised the PTI and Khan for hiding behind a judicial stay order in the case of foreign funding.
He said Khan was making himself a joke before the country and the people. He added that some people think Khan has been holding large public meetings which reflect his political power. "In our country, a large number of people even gather to see the dancing monkeys," he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2022.
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