Expected water shortage to be passed on to Punjab, Sindh in Rabi season: NA told

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was on Friday told that the expected water shortage in Pakistan during Rabi season will be passed on to Punjab and Sindh.

Minister for Water Resources Syed Javed Ali Shah said during forthcoming Rabi season, the country may face water shortage.

He said, therefore, it had been decided at the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) advisory committee that the shortages would be passed on to Punjab and Sindh while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan shall remain exempted from any cut in water share.

Read More: One in four children may face severe water shortages by 2040: UNICEF

On this occasion, Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar has said the Prime Minister’s National Health Programme is providing free of cost health services to the families living below poverty line.

She said that over 1.3 million families have been enrolled in the health insurance scheme in 24 districts. She said that 2.8 million more families will be enrolled by the end of current financial year.

The House on Friday adopted a motion electing members for the standing committees on Ministries of Narcotics Control, Postal Services, Privatization and Statistics.

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The motion was moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad.

The house has now been adjourned to meet again on Monday at 5:00 pm.

Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan told the National Assembly during question hour that surplus stock of wheat was available in the country and efforts were being made to export the commodity.