Indo-Pak water dispute: Talks to be resumed next week

HASSAN ABBAS

LAHORE: Indo-Pak talks on water dispute are resuming in the last week of March and Pakistani delegation, led by Secretary Water and Power, is proceeding toIndia, to hold negotiations with Indian counterparts.

Member Water Wapda, Syed Raghib Abbas Shah told reporters after a seminar on “Water and Food Security” organized by Pakistan Engineering Congress in connection with the World Water Day here on Saturday.

He said that construction of Bhasha Dam will be started from next year and it will take about eight years for completion. He added that big hydel power projects are very costly and impediment in such projects is non-availability of funds.

He said: “Wapda is working on small hydel power projects in all parts of the country to preserve water.”

He dispelled the impression that the Federal and provincial governments are not taking seriously the issue of water shortage.

To a query, he said they were working on the rehabilitation of the affectees of the Bhasha Dam and construction of model villages for the affectees is underway.

Raghib Shah said that donors have agreed to provide funds of US $1.3 billion for the construction of Munda Dam and feasibility report of Munda Dam will be completed within two years.

According to the paper presented by Dr. Allah Baksh Sufi the food security inPakistanhas deteriorated since 2003, half of the population does not have access to sufficient food for active and healthy life. The per capita water availability reduced from 5260 m3 (1951) to 1030 m3 (2010).

Vice President PEC, Engineer R.K Anwer said that there is no substitute of mega dams for the conservation of water. He also said that construction of Kalabagh Dam should be started on fast track which is technically the most feasible option.

Anwer said that small and medium dams should be constructed all over the country to ensure safe water supplies to rural population. He also said that government should establish “National Water Council” comprising of stake holders to review the water requirements and infrastructure of the country.Pakistanalso needs to use its waste water prudently to bring more land under cultivation. While giving the reference of the report he said thatPakistanwill also be facing vegetable shortage in a decade. He said that in terms of hunger indexIndiais at 66 number amongst 88 countries whilePakistanis at 37 number in the context of hunger index.