April 26, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1429

HYDERABAD, April 25: Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo has emphasised the need for implementation of Water Apportionment Accord 1991 despite of the fact that PPP had reservations over it.

At a press conference at Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida) office here on Friday, Mr Dharejo said that Punjab should not have opened Chashma Jehlum link Canal without permission of the Sindh government and it was constantly diverting water while Sindh was facing an acute water shortage this season.

He said that Sindh province was passing through a crucial period these days because of acute water shortage this season and that was why that his responsibilities had increased to ensure that water was properly utilised by the irrigation department.

He said that Water Accord 1991 had not been implemented due to undemocratic regime in the past and this issue had also been raised with Prim Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in the last Sindh cabinet’s meeting.

He said that it was also brought to the notice of the prime minister that release of 10 MAF of water downstream Kotri barrage must be ensured at any cost according to different studies conducted in this respect.

He said that PPP with its principled stand is committed to protect interests of Sindh and would take them up at all fora. He said that issues like Kalabagh dam were on priority of PPP government which would even be taken to Council of Common Interests (CCI). He said that people of Sindh would be taken on board in this regard.

“This year is very difficult as far as water shortage is concerned given the history of past 8 to 9 years”, he said as he referred to his meetings with Irsa officials over distribution among the provinces.

He said that he had called on water experts like A.G.N. Abbasi, Idris Rajput and Abdul Majeed Qazi to get detailed updates and said that he has directed irrigation officials to have regular discussions with them.

He said that irrigation officials need to devise a strategy how to make efficient use of existing water. He added that water availability would be ensured wherever needed.

He said that PPP does have reservations over 1991 Water Accord but even then water should be distributed in accordance with the accord. He said that water scarcity was a natural process, adding that he was constantly receiving complaints from people almost daily. He said global warming is also causing water shortage.

He said that currently there was 50 per cent water shortage at Kotri Barrage. He said that as far as Kalabagh dam’s construction is concerned PPP government would not take any decision that may prove harmful for the federation.

He also said that telemetry system was not working at different barrages and although matter pertained to Wapda but it would be looked into. He said that malafide intention might be involved or substandard equipment might have been used in the system.

Earlier, minister took a briefing from Chief Engineer, Kotri Barrage, Manzoor Sheikh, and Managing Director, Sida, Hashim Leghari.