May 24, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1429

THATTA, May 23: The enhancement of water storage capacity of Keenjhar Lake from 54-RL (reduced level) to 57-RL by raising its embankments would ruin its 24 surrounding villages and render some 12,000 acres of fertile land in vicinity of the reservoir barren.

The observation was made at a meeting of Mallah community elders which was presided over by their leader Adam Ghandro here at Sonehri House Thatta on Friday.

The community was highly critical of the supply of over 1,200 cusecs of water to Karachi per day from the lake and pointed out that as per an agreement between the irrigation department and metropolitan authorities of Karachi, the city was suppose to get 520 cusecs of water per day from Keenjhar Lake.

They demanded immediate supply of water to Thatta through a canal and a thorough review of the Keenjhar Bund raising project.

KILLED: A labourer, Mohammad Ibrahim, son of Panju Ghirano, was killed when as an under repair bridge caved in on Thatta-Sujawal road near Thatta sugar mills on Friday.

Eyewitnesses said that Ibrahim was working beneath the old bridge and was engaged in repair work when it collapsed on him.

He was immediately rushed to Civil Hospital Thatta but succumbed to his injuries.