ISLAMABAD, June 30: With Balochistan still getting 12 per cent short of its authorized share of water, the federal government has decided to depute joint patrolling of the Sindh Regiment and Balochistan Levies to control water theft on the way from Sindh to Balochistan.

The decision was taken last week at a meeting in Bhurban, Murree. The meeting, presided over by secretary water and power, Mirza Hamid Hasan, was attended by irrigation secretaries of the two provinces and officials of Irsa and federal flood commission.

When contacted, Mirza Hamid Hasan told Dawn on Sunday, that the dispute between Sindh and Balochistan has been settled as the Sindh authorities had closed down all illegal water outlets between the two provinces.

He agreed that joint patrolling would be required in some tribal belts because it was impossible for the provincial irrigation authorities to permanently control water theft.

The Sindh government claimed that it had closed down all illegal outlets but was unable to control water theft from Pat feeder and Kirthar branch.

The irrigation secretaries of both the provinces had agreed on joint patrolling to removing inter-provincial mistrust, the official added, but did not say when it would start.

The Irsa sources said that even on Sunday Balochistan got 12 per cent short of its share of water, and from Kirthar branch was at 36 per cent.

Another official said that Balochistan’s complaints were found justified as Sindh authorities had closed down over 50 illegal outlets in some areas.

Balochistan claims of getting 93,000 cusecs less than its share in the current Kharif season. The issue was settled following hectic consultations between the governors, the water and power ministry, and chief executive’s secretariat.

Balochistan governor, Amirul Mulk, had recently sent a protest letter to Sindh governor, Mianmohammad Soomro, over the short supply of water to his province.

Also, a number of letters were sent to the chief executive’s secretariat, and ministry of water and power, seeking the centre’s intervention in the matter.

Four canals - Pat feeder, Kirthar, Uch, and Maunity - carry irrigation water from Sindh to Balochistan. By mid June, the supply to the Pat feeder canal was restored but the supply in the remaining three canals remained short until two days back.

Sources said that water releases from Tarbela have been increased 155,000 cusecs on Sunday as against the earlier 145,000 cusecs. Inflow in Tarbela was recorded at 186,000 cusecs on Sunday.

Water level stood at 1,430 feet as against the maximum level of 1550 feet.

Water level at Mangla was recorded at 1,185 feet on Sunday against 1,202 feet, exactly at the level required under the water management plan. Inflow at Mangla was at 45,000 cusecs as against 15,000 cusecs.