May 02, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1429

HYDERABAD, May 1: The Sindh Water Committee has expressed concern over acute shortage of water in Sindh and said the shortage is artificial and being used to victimise the province and destroy its economy and agriculture sector.

The committee, which met here on Wednesday, demanded that the government immediately close the Chashma-Jehlum link canal, ensure supply of water to Sindh and appoint an international tribunal to solve water controversy between Sindh and Punjab.

The meeting said that the shortage of water was not natural. It was a direct result of the imperialist policies of the establishment under which the ruling class of Punjab was stealing Sindh share in water through dams and canals, the meeting alleged.

Even people living on or near the River Indus were thirsting for water, the meeting said, adding that Sindh had suffered a shortfall of 400,000 to 500,000 tons in wheat production this season due to water shortage.

The meeting, which was presided over by Rasool Bux Palijo, pointed out that there would be a sharp shortfall in the production of chillies, cotton and sugarcane also because of 50 to 70 per cent water shortage.

The meeting observed that although an elected government had been put in place now still water was being stolen through Chashma-Jehlum link canal and work on the illegal Greater Thal Canal had not stopped.

The meeting demanded that the government bring up a bill in the parliament to decide it once and for all that no dam and canal would be constructed on the Indus River.

Former Senator Qazi Abdul Majeed, Nazeer Memon, Muzaffar Sadiq Bhatti advocate, Sindh Abadgar Board President Abdul Majeed Nizamani and Jami Chandio were among those who attended the meeting.