ISLAMABAD, May 11: The government has decided to set up a “water sector policy cell” to resolve water disputes at the national level and carry forward the task of implementing the National Water Policy and Water Sector Strategy. Official sources told Dawn that the proposed cell would be headed by a Grade-22 officer having a rich experience and vision concerning the water sector. It would also act as a secretariat for the National Water Council (apex body) to be established under the National Water Policy.

The cell would build consensus on water issues, develop long-term investment plans and priorities and introduce new information system and modern analytical tools besides addressing problems of water allocations and resolving outstanding policy issues.

It would also carry out, through consultants, four important studies titled rain water harvesting, impact of irrigation projects on increasing agricultural production, environmental impact of irrigation and drainage projects and benefits of flood protection projects.

Pakistan has been facing major water and drainage issues that have serious social, economic and environmental implications which would extensively be dealt with by the cell, the sources said.

At the federal level, the sources added, the government needed to address lack of capacity and shift institutional focus on strategic planning and policy analysis. “It was high time a critical mass of technical talent and skills was created to take responsibility for addressing strategic questions and challenges, including the development of water resources of the country, extension of the irrigation system and improving the existing irrigation infrastructure,” the sources said.

The cell would ensure implementation of policies on integrated and sustainable development, conservation and management of water resources which would, in turn, increase efficiency and equity and ensure extension of irrigation water to new fertile lands.

These efforts would increase productivity for “each drop of water” and would help in making the country self-sufficient in food and fibre.

Work has already been initiated on a large-scale to develop new water storages to extend irrigation facilities to new fertile areas and to construct a drainage system for safe evacuation of saline drainage effluents. Moreover, a huge programme of rehabilitation and lining of irrigation system and modernization of barrages has been initiated by provincial irrigation departments to conserve water resources.