Sindh demands audit of last year's water usage, losses

Sindh on Thursday formally demanded audit of last year's water usage and losses from a reputed private firm or public sector entity. This issue was raised by Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, Member Irsa Sindh at a meeting of sub-committee of National Assembly Standing Committee headed by Khalid Hussain Magsi and comprising, Dr. Afzal Khan Dhandla. Another member Ch Riaz-ul-Haq of the sub-committee did not attend the meeting.
Syed Mazhar Ali Shah argued that 11.57 MAF acre feet of water last year remains unaccounted which needs to be investigated. He said, on one hand, Sindh is being deprived of its due share of water and on other the province is facing charges of water theft. He said 11.768 MAF water was lost in Bisham (KP) which is not shown anywhere in the documents. He repeatedly called for an audit of water account to be conducted to clear the dust adding that he might be wrong but what is the harm in an audit.
Shah who was visibly angry stressed for an audit of whatever water was given to Punjab and Sindh. Member Irsa from Punjab, Rao Irshad Ali Khan, sought time for the audit and explained the distribution of water in Punjab through link canal and its distribution system.
Chairman IRSA, Sher Zaman Khan, who represents Balochistan, accused Sindh of stealing its water due to which his province is suffering. The head of sub-committee, Khalid Magsi said that people in Balochistan are drinking contaminated water due to which hepatitis C is spreading.
Member Irsa KP, Raqib Khan took the position that other provinces are using the water share of his province. After hearing the arguments of Irsa members from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and KP, the sub-committee gave one week to Irsa members to sit together and consider each other's concerns to better understand the water issues.
The sub-committee will now hold its next meeting in the Irsa offices so that all the required record is available for scrutiny prior to finalization of recommendations for the National Assembly Standing Committee headed by Nawab Yousuf Talpur.