PTI supremo always talks about changing the socio-economic milieu of Pakistan and create a new Pakistan based on egalitarian principles of justice and fairplay. There is a saying of old that charity begins at home before it spreads to others. The present scenario of KP is that it does not openly support KBD even though KBD guarantees supply of newly a million acre feet of water to DIK for irrigation as stipulated in the historic Water Accord of 1991 that assures supply of 14 per cent water from any future storages to KP.
However this formula cannot be implemented unless and until a gravity canal from right bank of KBD is not made assuring supply of water to KP which has at present only 5 per cent irrigated area of Pakistan’s irrigated area. The present lukewarm attitude of KP govt to oppose KBD is a negative policy preventing the supply of irrigation water to 8 lac acres of virgin land. Unfortunately the ANP stalwarts were never interested to develop DIK because their politics is bound to their mountainous area which cannot be irrigated by KBD. It would be advisable for KP govt of PTI that they support KBD to ensure safety of their legitimate share of water that is essential for socio-economic up lift of KP.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
