Punjab, Sindh agree to close C-J link canal

Punjab and Sindh agreed on the immediate closure of the contentious Chashma-Jhelum link canal.

ISLAMABAD: The deepening row over water sharing between Punjab and Sindh was arrested with the two provinces agreeing on the immediate closure of the contentious Chashma-Jhelum link canal. They also resolved to avoid such crises by using the platform of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa).

The decisions to this effect, which brought to an end a 10-day row, came at a high level meeting of authorities from both provinces on Tuesday, which was chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

Officials from Gilani’s secretariat and the chief minister’s office in Lahore confirmed that orders have been issued to immediately close the Chashma-Jhelum link canal –fulfilling Sindh’s demand.

The canal was opened after a unilateral order by acting chief of Irsa Shafqat Masood on July 6 to release 10,000 cusecs of water on a daily basis for use by Punjab. The order threw Punjab’s southern neighbour Sindh into a frenzy, and resulted in the resignations of Sindh’s and the Centre’s representatives in Irsa.

Gilani had to intervene last week with the controversy taking an ugly turn and threatening to worsen. He summoned the chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh for a meeting in the capital.

According to officials, both the chief ministers had separate talks ahead of a formal meeting with Gilani, which was also attended by experts from either side.

A high-level official told The Express Tribune that the closure of the canal was not strictly on a permanent basis and its future would be decided at a meeting of Irsa here on Wednesday (today).

He said that Sindh adopted the position that it wasn’t against the release of water to Punjab through the link canal, but its objection was to the manner in which the decision was taken by Irsa’s acting chief.

The future equation of water distribution, he added, would be decided in Wednesday’s meeting.

The meeting will also decide how to compensate Sindh for the water that was released to Punjab as long as the canal remained opened.

The prime minister disposed of the resignations of the Sindh and federal members of Irsa and directed them to continue to work. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the prime minister’s office said that the premier appreciated the sagacity of the chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh in the amicable and expeditious settlement of the water issue between the provinces.

At the conclusion of the meeting between the chief ministers and their teams, Gilani was apprised about the reservations of Sindh regarding the procedure adopted by Irsa in its July 6 order, and it was agreed that it would be withdrawn by consensus and with immediate effect. The prime minister was further apprised it was also agreed that Irsa would be requested to convene an urgent meeting of the authority on Wednesday to review the regulations.

The decisions taken therein would be in line with current water availability and other factors. Both the chief ministers lauded Gilani for his bipartisan approach, reconciliatory role and guidance given during the meeting that helped reach an understanding.

Meanwhile, Abdul Raquib Khan from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has been appointed as the new acting chairman of Irsa, replacing the controversial Shafqat Masood, who was also the acting chairman after having replaced Amangul Khattak, who left his post citing health reasons.

Published in The  Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2010.