August 06, 2006	Sunday	Rajab 10, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: The federal government has increased Balochistan’s water share by 500 cusec as an interim arrangement to compensate it against the alleged 19 per cent extra-consumption by Sindh.

Member Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Mohammad Khan Memon or any other representative from Sindh did not attend the meeting that was convened on a complaint lodged by Balochistan against Sindh for usurping its 19 per cent share. The meeting was presided over by Federal Water and Power Minister Liaqat Ali Jatoi.

The minister directed Irsa to work out a mechanism for solution of Sindh-Balochistan dispute on a permanent basis and present it in the meeting on Saturday for approval.

Sources said the chairman Irsa supported Balochistan’s complaint and told the meeting that Sindh’s irrigation authorities did not accept calculations of Wapda and Irsa regarding water releases from Garang Regulator of Kirthar Canal. He said Sindh also did not agree to appointment of a neutral expert on the subject.

The minister directed Irsa to provide additional 500 cusecs water to Balochistan with immediate effect and convened a special meeting of Sindh and Balochistan on Saturday to permanently resolve the flow measurement controversy.

The meeting also directed the Federal Flood Commission and Wapda to coordinate with provincial governments and monitor flood situation in the country round the clock to meet any emergency situation well in time.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the status of water level in reservoirs.

It was noted that flow in major rivers was mostly normal but at some places there was low flood. Kabul at Nowshera was, however, in medium flood situation.

The meeting was informed that the reservoir position was quite satisfactory and there was 80 per cent live storage in Tarbela and 93 per cent in Mangla dam as on Thursday. It was informed that the water level in Tarbela is 1525.40 feet and in Mangla 1196.25 feet against maximum conservation level of 1550 feet and 1202 feet, respectively.