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Print Print edition: 2012-03-25

Where is the missing water?

Published Updated

The water issue in the country has become very serious and sensitive. The highly corrupt Wapda - a federal government organisation is obviously responsible for the missing water noted from time to time. The scarcity of water has jeopardised the next sowing season in the country. This is not the first time that such act has been done.
The role of Wapda for the last many years has remained from bad to worse, so much so that former Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and present Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani both termed it a "White Elephant" and 35 years is a long and sufficient period between the remarks of the two prime ministers to judge the performance of any government organisation.
At least, three former chairmen of Wapda, namely Lieutenant General Safdar Butt, Lieutenant General Zulfikar Ali Khan and Tariq Hameed all belonging to Punjab, during their tenures tried to use the said government organisation in favour of their own province at the cost of the rest of the three provinces. I still remember the words of Tariq Hameed on TV who had clearly admitted he did not obey the orders of Irsa for the release of water in some cases.
Further, embezzlements to the tune of billions of rupees in WAPDA, has become common for the last many years. For example, the Auditor General Report presented in the National Assembly a few months back showed embezzlements committed in Wapda to the tune of Rs 90 billion during last year only. In other projects of Wapda including Neelam, the embezzlement, misappropriation and financial irregularities as reported by the media from time to time is to the tune of billions and billions of rupees without any accountability.
The Wapda cannot be allowed to play with the future of the country. If we see its performance, three out of four provinces like KP, Sindh and Balochistan are treating Wapda as their enemy for valid reasons. I appeal on behalf of millions of farmers who would be deprived of their share of water during the ensuing sowing season due to the said missing water, the stern action be taken against Wapda officials responsible for the said missing water who have, no doubt, played with the future of the country. I suggest that the head office of Wapda must be shifted from Punjab as suggested by the KP Assembly in their unanimously passed resolution sometime back to ensure its impartiality and better performance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012

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