ISLAMABAD, Jan 12; The federal government has decided that the contracts for conducting two studies on water discharge downstream Kotri would be given to two separate companies, Dawn has learnt.

The technical sub-committee constituted by the Nisar A. Memon-led parliamentary committee on contentious water issue is meeting here on Tuesday to consider proposals submitted by seven local and international companies, official sources said.

The technical sub-committee, led by chief engineering adviser I.B. Sheikh, comprises four provincial irrigation secretaries, Indus River System Authority (Irsa) chairman and representatives of water and power ministry, Wapda and planning commission.

The seven companies had submitted their expressions of interest (EoIs) a couple of months back to carry out studies on water requirement downstream Kotri. The process was, however, stalled due to differences among the provinces over the terms of reference of the studies.

On the recommendations of the Nisar Memon committee, the government decided that existing EoIs be treated as valid and the process be started from where it was stalled.

The technical sub-committee opened the EoIs of the seven companies last month and asked them to submit their technical proposals latest by Jan 12. The companies are: Nespak, Halcrow International, Associate Consulting Engineering (ACE), Mat-McDonald, Engineering Consultants, National Development Consultants and Harza Engineering.