17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Monday said a summary on National Water Policy would soon be presented to the cabinet after it was endorsed by the provinces.

About constructing big water reservoirs in line with the government policy, he said the project would be initiated after presentation of the recommendation of a technical committee on water.

He was talking to reporters after opening an international symposium on 'Community Based Approaches for Integrated Water Resources Management' here at a local hotel. The symposium was organized by the UNDP in collaboration with Sarhad Rural Support Programme and International Water Management Institute.

The minister said since the issue relating to construction of big water reservoirs was a contentious one and of national importance, too, therefore decisions could be delayed for a few months.

He also informed the reporters that the feasibility of Bhasha dam would be ready by June, while the final decision in this regard would be taken after receiving the report of the technical committee on water.

He was confident that the tariff rationalization committee would submit its final report on the reduction of power charges to the government within a week. Earlier, speaking at the symposium, the minister said the government was working to improve water situation in the country.

Socially responsible and participatory water management promotes maximum equity in water distribution without compromising environment, he added.

By the year 2025, Pakistan should have adequate water available through proper conservation and development, he said. Water supplies should be of good quality and equitably distributed to meet the needs of all users through an efficient management, and institutional and legal system.

It should also support economic and social development with due consideration to the environment, quality of life, economic value of resources, ability to pay and participation of all stakeholders.

The minister said, at present, 95 per cent water resources of Pakistan were used for agriculture, and farmers, being the main stakeholders, would have to play a vital role in the conservation and management of these resources.

Earlier, National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) chairman Daniyal Aziz said the devolution process provided incentives to communities to develop their own water projects. Development was a matter of right, not patronage, and could be articulated with social mobilization, he said.

Citizens community board, he said, could create water supply and sanitation projects and would be provided financial support under the local government ordinance.

The NRB chairman said the Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment would work with National Commission for Human Development and Pakistan Rural Support Network to ensure that communities could be mobilized to articulate and act upon their development needs.

Speaking on the occasion, UNDP representative Onder Yucer said water reserves were not inexhaustible, therefore these should be taken like any other natural resource, the excessive exploitation of which could lead to depletion.

He stressed the need for indigenous and community-driven water management programmes. He said awareness and education on conservation and efficient water use were needed as part of a national water management strategy.

Mr Yucer also assured the government that the UNDP would continue supporting the evolution of efficient community water resource management programmes and support the country in developing and implementing a long-term water strategy. Such a strategy is urgently needed to avoid potentially disastrous water crisis in future, he said.