KARACHI, June 14: The provincial minister for population welfare, Imtiaz Ahmad Sheikh, who is also president of the Sindh Democratic Alliance (SDA), has submitted a resolution before the secretary of provincial assembly with the request to approach the federal government for implementing the Water Accord-1991.

The resolution submitted that the Water Accord-1991 had been formulated in consensus with all provinces, but instead of implementing the same, another accord of 1994 was being pursued, which was causing resentment among the provinces, particularly among the inhabitants of Sindh.

Sources said that the resolution was submitted on Saturday under the Rule 103 (2) of the Rules of Procedures of the Sindh Assembly.

The resolution states, “This assembly resolves and recommends to the government of Sindh to approach the federal government to stop distribution of water under the so called historic uses formula 1994, which is in violation of the Water Accord-1991 and the Council of Common Interest decision of 1991.”

Moreover, the resolution states that the water accord of 1991 is the only document based on consensus of all four provinces backed by signed agreements of March 16, 1991 and ratification of the CCI. The water accord is very clear and specific about sharing the shortages and surpluses, whenever they occur.

In both cases, they would be shared by various canals in proportion to their allocation for the period concern.

It is beyond the purview of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to make any amendments and act in contradiction with the provision of the accord. The IRSA is the implementing body and therefore, federal government may bound the authority to implement the Water Accord-1991 in letter and spirit, the resolution adds. — PPI