28 January 2005	Friday	17 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 27: The World Bank is expected to provide funding to Pakistan for water sector reforms and construction of big dams through a comprehensive Water Resources Assistance Strategy, official sources told Dawn.

A three-member water sector mission of the World Bank on Thursday discussed broad parameters of its involvement in the country's water resources development with representatives of the federal government and provincial irrigation and planning authorities.

The sources said the mission would hold another meeting with more than 60 non-governmental stakeholders on Feb 1 in Islamabad and then present its report to the bank's board of directors in April for approval.

They said the mission indicated in the meeting that it could make available a large amount of investment for Pakistan's water sector and irrigation system and sought proposals for specific projects and funding requirements.

The sources said the mission told the meeting that the bank had not been fully involved in Pakistan's water sector but now it wanted greater involvement. It would, however, like to see reforms in the existing irrigation-related departments and agencies before it could commit any assistance or funding programme, they added.

The mission specifically mentioned the irrigation system management reforms and said its investment programme would be dependent on the financial stability of various agencies and self-sustaining farmers' organizations and development schemes. The mission also wanted a better understanding between the centre and the provinces on water sector issues and overhauling of the 1991 water accord.