BADIN: Former National Assembly speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza has urged the irrigation department to ensure a fair and equal distribution of water to growers across Badin district.

Speaking to growers and local journalists during her visit to the Alipur regulator near Matli on Thursday, she observed that most canals and their off-taking channels had either dried up or were getting scant supply.

Her spouse Dr Zulfikar Mirza and son MPA Husnain Mirza accompanied her during the visit. She noted that the Sindh government had released Rs6 billion under the Water Sector Improvement Programme (Wisp) for the repair and rehabilitation of the Alipur regulator and several canals but there had been no improvement in the water supply situation. “We have serious apprehensions about utilisation of this huge amount,” she said, adding that the issue would be discussed at a meeting of growers of the area on Friday (today).

Appreciating people of Badin district for what he described as the unflinching support they always extended to him, Dr Zulfikar Mirza said he would continue to fight for their due rights.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2017