ISLAMABAD, Oct 12: Water shortage for Rabi crop fell from 56 per cent to 44 per cent, reducing the fears of lessor yield of wheat, grams and rapeseed. This was informed in a meeting which was presided over by Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi here on Tuesday.

The meeting was told that rains and proper water management contributed considerably to improve the situation. Earlier, it was expected that water shortage would be 56 per cent. The figure later fell to 48 per cent and after the recent rains to 44 per cent.

The water and power minister constituted a three-member committee in view of the points raised by representatives from Balochistan regarding supply of 22 per cent less share of water during last crop period.

The committee would carry out surveys to figure out reasons for shortage of water in Balochistan. Mr Jatoi urged representatives from the Punjab and Sindh to develop plans to prevent Rabi crops from suffering in the future.