CHASHMA, March 22: The Punjab has not been involved in water theft, at least from the Chashma barrage, a Sindh irrigation department sub-divisional officer, currently deputed at the barrage for monitoring distribution, said here on Thursday.

Talking to journalists on Thursday, the SDO said he had been monitoring distribution for the last two-and-a-half years on behalf of the Sindh irrigation department, adding he did not find a single case of water theft.

“The water has been flowing downstream without any interruption.”

Responding to a question, he said upgradation of monitors to executive engineer level and installation of telemetry system would help improve confidence between the Punjab and Sindh.

He said the Punjab government officials, deputed at the barrage, were fully cooperating with him and he, as a representative of Sindh, was not facing any kind of pressure.

He was of the view that people raising objections against distribution system might have been driven by the vested interests.

Replying to a question regarding the Thal Flood Water Canal, he said Sindh only wanted a few guarantees regarding release of water and preempt any misuse of the commodity. — AFK