KARACHI: Sindh is facing acute shortage of water which has created a drought-like situation in different parts of the province, particularly in the vicinity of Old Jamrao Canal, including Sanghar city.

This was stated by PML-F’s lawmaker Saeed Khan Nizamani during the Sindh Assembly’s session on Monday.

Drawing attention of the house towards the hardships being faced by the residents, he called upon the government to take urgent measures to provide relief to the people.

Health Minister Dr Sikander Mandhro, while agreeing with Mr Nizamani, said Sindh was receiving 65 to 70 per cent less water because of shortage at Tarbela and Mangla dams.

“Persistent cold weather in Northern Areas is not letting the snow melt which would otherwise have filled the dams with water,” he added.

The minister further said the issue was not only discussed earlier in the house but had also been taken up in the National Assembly.

“The drought-like situation is not man-made but a natural phenomenon,” he stated and assured the MPA that the government was ready to provide whatever assistance it could.

Nand Kumar Goklani of the PML-F talked about depriving poor Hindus of financial help on the occasion of Holi and rampant corruption in the province.

Dr Khatu Mal Jeewan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister, termed the allegations baseless and said not only poor Hindus but other non-Muslims too were handed cheques.

Ameer Haider Shirazi of the PML-N said Kohistani areas of Thatta and Jamshoro districts were facing acute shortage of drinking water and demanded special financial package for them.

Provincial Minister for Welfare and Relief Mumtaz Hussain Jakhrani informed the house that the government was quite aware of the situation and taking necessary steps.

He added that in such situations deputy commissioners concerned could declare an area drought affected.

“The people of Kohistan will not be left unattended,” he assured the house.

MQM’s lawmaker Mehfoozyar Khan tried to speak but Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani did not allow him. As a result, the former walked out of the assembly.

At the beginning of the session, the house offered fateha for the departed souls of PPP MPA Rubina Qaimkhani’s young son and renowned rights activist, social worker and political leader Jam Saqi.

The speaker congratulated Dr Mandhro on being elected to Senate.

The health minister introduced the Sindh Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018, but deferred its consideration until Wednesday so that the legislators could read it.

The speaker called off the day’s proceedings at around 1.20pm. The assembly will meet again on Tuesday morning.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2018