LAHORE: Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Mohammad Asif directed Wapda on Thursday to act as a focal agency to address apprehensions of provinces over distribution of water.

He said water distribution was a sensitive matter and any misunderstanding among the federating units could have the potential to affect the inter-provincial harmony.

The minister asked Wapda to play the role of a coordinator to forge unity and harmony among the provinces.

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He stressed the need for putting in place a mechanism in consultation with all stakeholders to assess veracity of complaints of the provinces over water distribution.

Underlining the significance of water conservation in view of decreasing per capita water availability in the country, he said there was a need to make judicious and efficient use of available water resources. He said that immediate practical steps were required to promote culture of water conservation and cut down on water wastage besides constructing new reservoirs.

Khawaja Asif asked Wapda authorities to keep in touch with provincial

governments and other stakeholders to promote the use of modern and efficient irrigation techniques in addition to running an awareness campaign for water conservation.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2014