KARACHI, July 24: A spokesman for the Sindh Irrigation and Power Department has said that the statement made by the Punjab secretary, Irrigation and Power, regarding downstream Kotri flows appeared in a section of the press on Thursday, giving the wrong impression that there is no provision for Kotri downstream flows in the 1991 Water Accord.

He said that clause 7 of the Water Accord is very clear as it recognizes the needs for downstream Kotri and mentions a figure of 10 MAF.

He said it is also not correct to treat downstream Kotri flows as wastage because it is a recognised and accepted fact both by local as well as international experts that downstream Kotri flows are of extreme importance for the population living downstream Kotri, and added that it is also beneficial for irrigation, the Indus delta, flora and fauna, and environmental needs.

He said that it is clearly mentioned in the Accord that the studies are to be carried out to establish the minimum requirement of flows downstream Kotri. It may be understood that the mode of flows will be established after carrying out studies by international experts.

He said that in case it is established by the studies that some flows are required during non-surplus flows in the rivers, then the provinces shall have to accommodate that requirement as it is the spirit of the Accord which must be followed.

He said that however, till the studies are carried out, 10 MAF of water is the right of Kotri downstream flows as per clause 7 of the Accord. He said it will be misleading to consider Kotri downstream flows as the problem of Sindh province alone, and added that the water of the Indus irrigates the entire country; therefore, the correct perspective is that Kotri downstream flows is the country’s problem and must be treated accordingly.—PPI