Pakistan

Water issue resolved, Chashma-Jhelum Link to close

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Tuesday directed the Chashma-Jehlum link canal be closed in a statement from the PM house.

July 13, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday directed the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal be closed in a statement from the PM house.

Gilani has also ordered an Indus River System Authority (Irsa) meeting to be convened on July 14.

In a statement from the PM house, decision on the water issue taken on July 6 to open the Chashma-Jhelum Link canal, was cancelled after consultation with all provinces. The statement added that the water issue between Punjab and Sindh stands resolved after this decision.

Officials earlier had pointed out that Punjab and Sindh needed additional water for the paddy crop and this was the reason of opening the Link Canal. However, there was much opposition from Sindh due crops being affected by the shortage of water as a result of the opening.

At the meeting held earlier in the day, the prime minister said that Irsa must be free of politics to resolve the water issue. The chief ministers of Sindh and Punjab were present at the meeting.

COMMENTS (5)

Mohammad Khan Sial | 13 years ago | Reply The Acting Chairman of IRSA Shafqat Masood junjua who belongs to Punjab took unilaterally decision in connivance with Fed Water & Power Minister Raja Ashraf - also from Punjab. The decision was taken without presence of representatives of Federal Govt, Sindh, Balochistan and Kyber Pathunkhuwa. Notorious Wapda - a govt organization supporting Punjab since long at the cost of rest three provinces was behind this illegal and unilateral decision. Controversial Shafqat Masood would continue as representative of Punjab whereas no action was taken against the minister both belonging to Punjab. It appears some people like Shafqat Massod and Raja Ashraf are bent upon to shake the foundation of Pakistan by using powers of higher authority illegally i.e. CCI. Both must be kicked out.

Asif Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Thanks God positive action taken by PM otherwise dangerous kind of news coming due to talks between provinces which can lead to any direction if not addressed timely like PM did it for this.