‘Dysfunctional’ office: Wapda relieves multi-tasking water commissioner

Joint-commissioner takes acting charge until incumbent completes his course.

ISLAMABAD:

In a move to put the affairs of the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Water’s (PCIW) office in order, the ministry of water and power relieved its acting commissioner, Sheraz Memon, who was simultaneously attending a course at the National School of Public Policy.

The acting charge has now been given to the senior-most joint commissioner, Engineer Usman-e-Ghani, until Memon completes his course.

The PCIW office had been ‘dysfunctional’ since August, sources said, adding that Memon had been attending a National Management Course at the National School of Public Policy. Spokesperson for the water and power ministry confirmed the relieving of Memon and handing over of the acting charge to Ghani.

Earlier, a junior officer deputed from the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Ijaz Patafi, had been managing the post of acting commissioner, allegedly on Memon’s appointment.

Patafi also represented the PCIW at The Hague during hearing on Kishenganga dam.

The ‘critical’ office

The PCIW office has been dealing with India over water disputes arising between the neighbours. Officials, however, critique it for its failure to deliver and protect Pakistan’s interests, for instance, on the Baglihar dam built by India on Chenab River.

The former commissioner “wasted” 17 years over discussion with India whether Kishenganga dam was a ‘dispute’ or a ‘matter of difference,’ providing India an opportunity to start work on dam, an official said.

“Pakistan should have gone to the Court of Arbitration immediately to seek justice,” the official said, adding that the former commissioner should have done the same for Baglihar, instead of raising a ‘technical issue’ with a neutral expert nominated by the World Bank.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2011.