KARACHI, March 4: A high-level meeting was held at the Governor’s House on Monday to discuss the issue of the construction of Thal Flood Canal.

The meeting was attended by minister of finance, planning and development, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh; minister of irrigation and power, Syed Ali Mir Shah; additional chief secretary, planning and development; principal secretary to governor, and secretaries of irrigation and power and information departments.

The meeting reviewed ECNEC’s conditional approval of Thal Canal and expressed satisfaction over the manner in which the concerns of Sindh government were articulated by the ECNEC. It was felt that the principled position of the government of Sindh needed to be explained to the public, as there was a total harmony between the two on the issue.

The government of Sindh has taken the stand that sanctity of 1991 Water Accord was paramount and all aspects of the accord should be implemented in letter and spirit. The Greater Thal Canal may only be approved simultaneously with implementation of other aspects of the accord, including water sharing and provision of water downstream Kotri to avoid sea intrusion.

A detailed list of concerns of the Sindh government, consisting of 19 points, was sent by planning and development department to the ECNEC.

Prior to the ECNEC meeting these points were read and handed over to the chairman.

The representatives of Sindh articulated the concern within the ECNEC that Thal Canal did not lead to the diversion of Sindh’s share of water as per 1991 accord.

This point was acknowledged and Wapda was instructed by the ECNEC chairman to ensure installation of telemetering equipment within two months. Representatives of Sindh government also emphasized that all aspects of the 1991 accord be implemented. Further, any formal approval of the canal must conform to nomenclature, size and other aspects, strictly as per the 1991 accord, and only after IRSA certification.

Sindh minister of finance and planning has sent a letter to the federal finance minister reaffirming the position of the provincial government and conveying concerns of the people of Sindh. He has also requested him to ensure that any final decision should address these concerns.—PPI