November 8, 2001	Thursday	Shaba’an 21, 1422

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BAHAWALPUR, Nov 7: The shortage of canal water has created a crisis in the south Punjab, particularly in Bahawalpur division, it is learnt.

According to concerned circles, the situation has turned grave due to the closure of most of the canals or release of water on rotation. They said only 35 per cent water was being supplied to the south Punjab.

Canals in Bahawalpur division unusually remained closed from Oct 5 to 29 which hit the cotton crop as it needed last watering.

Farmers told Dawn on Wednesday that Bahawalpur’s share from the SBM Link Canal was 2,400 cusecs. Due to water shortage its share should have been 1,200 cusecs, but it was being given 800 cusecs.

Similarly, the situation in Rahim Yar Khan district was also grim.

According to irrigation department sources, with the acute shortage of water for rabi crop, Bahawalpur’s share had to be cut.

Farmers and Kissan Board of Pakistan office-bearers have demanded that the quota of water for Bahawalpur division should be enhanced.

THE LAST WISH: The Punjab prisons department is in a fix over the ‘last wish’ of a convict.

Convict Shahzad Ahmad wished that he should be hanged in a Lahore jail.

Shahzad of Sipah-i-Muhammad had shot dead Naeem Awan, former chairman of Hasilpur Municipal Committee and an SSP activist, about two years ago. He was sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court and his clemency appeals were rejected by superior courts and the president.

Shahzad escaped from the Bahawalpur Jail, but was recaptured. The jail officials fear that he might attempt to escape again during his shifting to Lahore.