LAHORE – Taking serious notice of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA)’s decision to slash Punjab’s water share, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has asked IRSA Chairman Rao Irshad why the provincial government was not taken into confidence on the issue, disclosed the sources in the provincial Irrigation Department.
It is important to note that Rao is also Punjab’s representative in the IRSA, which is responsible for water distribution among the provinces and other related matters. A senior Punjab government official on the condition of anonymity revealed that the matter was discussed in detail during a meeting in the Irrigation Department on Saturday.
However, speaking to Pakistan Today, Punjab Irrigation Secretary Rab Nawaz claimed that the decision to give 45 per cent of the Punjab’s water share to other provinces had been misreported in the press. He said that Punjab was experiencing a lean period and there was hardly any demand for water during these days as wheat crop harvesting was underway in the province.
He was of the view that there was no harm if Punjab gave water to Sindh and other provinces as sowing season had started in Sindh. He pointed out that Punjab received lion’s water share during the last month and would get the water back when cotton sowing would start in the province. It was a seasonal business among the provincial irrigation departments, he added.
IRSA Chairman Rao Irshad said there was no question of taking Punjab into confidence, as the provincial government had its representation in the meeting. He also denied the reports that the Punjab government had asked the IRSA to clarify its decision and said the minutes of the meeting ahd already been sent to the stakeholders.
