Faisal Vawda visits Irsa, briefed on river water situation

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water Resources, Faisal Vawda was given a briefing during his visit of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) on Wednesday, ARY News reported.

The members from the four provinces were also present during the briefing given by the Chairman Irsa.

The federal minister was informed about the water flow in rivers and existing water level at the country’s dams.

The water flow in rivers this year is better then the past year, Irsa chairman said in the briefing.

Irsa chairman said that Sindh also being supplied water from Mangla dam, while the water flow at Guddu barrage is better this year in comparison to the previous year.

The water resources minister said he will not allow any injustice with any province with regard to its water share and all provinces will be supplied their share of the river water.

Faisal Vawda also urged for ensuring supply of proper water share to Balochistan at any cost.

Sindh Assembly had passed a motion in January this year asking the provincial government to approach the Centre for judicious water distribution among all federating units.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah speaking on Sindh’s water woes in the house said it was not just the Indus, but Sindh would get water from five other rivers as well.

He said the colonial rulers rejected the Greater Thal Canal scheme twice, yet, it was constructed during a dictator’s regime.

Despite British rulers’ actions against Sindh, he added, they chalked out and enforced an agreement after construction of the Sukkur Barrage in which Sindh’s share was 48.74 million acre feet, which was still greater than Punjab’s 48.33MAF share then, Shah said.