QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to immediately take up the issue of acute shortage of water with the Sindh government.

During a consultative meeting of the members of Balochistan Assembly from Nasirabad Division, it was decided that a parliamentary delegation led by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani would meet the Sindh chief minister.

The meeting, presided over by the CM, also decided to approach the federal government so that Balochistan could get its due share from the Indus River under the Water Apportionment Accord.

It was decided that the issue would also be taken up at a meeting of the Council of Common Interests.

Former chief minister and MPA Jan Mohammad Jamali, MPA Yar Mohammad Rind, provincial ministers Tariq Magsi, Mir Omar Khan Jamali, Mir Saleem Khan Khosa, Mir Mohammad Khan Lehri and Mir Sikandar Ali Umrani, Chief Secretary Dr Akhtar Nazeer and the Nasirabad Division Commissioner attended the meeting.

Islamabad will also be approached for due share from Indus River

The meeting reviewed the shortage of water in Nasirabad Division and discussed measures to address the problem.

The Irrigation Department’s authorities briefed the meeting about Pat Feeder Canal, Khirthar Canal and Kachhi Canal. They said that 900 cubic feet less water was being supplied from Pat Feeder Canal due to which farmers and growers were facing serious shortage of water.

The meeting was informed that the banks of Pat Feeder Canal in Sindh were occupied by encroachment mafia. The canal had been filled with mud resulting in reduction of flow and quantity of water to Balochistan.

The meeting was told that the drainage water was also being mixed in Pat Feeder Canal in the Kashmore area, causing hepatitis and other diseases in Nasirabad Division.

The meeting decided that the Balochistan government would immediately commence de-silting, remodeling and lining of Pet Feeder Canal through its own resources and directed the Irrigation Department to prepare a comprehensive strategy in this regard.

The meeting decided to shift Kherther Canal’s regulatory system at the border and to talk to the Sindh government in this regard.

The meeting approved construction of two structures upon Kachhi Canal and Pat Feeder Canal.

It also decided to contact the federal government for completion of Phase-I and commencement of work on Phase-II and III of Kachhi Canal.

Mr Alyani assured the meeting that his government would resolve the water issue of Nasirabad Division and take steps for providing relief to the farmers and growers.

The Nasirabad commissioner would take immediate steps in this regard after consulting big farmers, he added.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2019