Irrigation system must function effectively, Qaim tells engineers

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday presided over a meeting of Irrigation department in connection with draining out the rain water from various areas of Sindh. Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed that officials concerned, engineers and technical staff of Irrigation department to fully concentrate on the task of draining out the rainwater from affected areas particularly in districts of Umerkot, Sanghar, Tando Allahyar, Badin and others.
He said that President Asif Ali Zardari has directed to early dispose of water so as to make the lands available for cultivation of crops, which is essential for economy of the province. The CM Sindh said that due to floods of 2010 and heavy rains of 2011, the infrastructure of Irrigation system has been damaged.
He directed that the damaged Irrigation system is to be redressed and revived. Syed Qaim Ali Shah further said that Irrigation system should function properly and effectively. The CM Sindh assured that all technical and administrative problems will be solved by the government and Irrigation department and other agencies should make co-ordinated efforts for redressal of problems faced to the people of affected areas.
Earlier, Sindh Secretary Irrigation, Khalid Haider Memon gave detailed briefing of latest water position and said that full efforts are being made to dispose of rainwater from affected areas. He said that the water would be removed from many areas within 10-days. Former Secretary Irrigation, Muhammad Idress Rajput informed that this time, government of Sindh has provided maximum pumping machines and efforts for disposal of water is in full swing but some time will take place in this task.
Representative of Pakistan army Lieutenant Colonel Sangrez informed the meeting that the army engineers are jointly working with Irrigation Department. The survey work is being completed, he added. He opined that old natural flows must be restored for prompt disposal of water, and all old dhoros and channels must be restored for proper functioning of Irrigation system. He also informed that there is proposal of bye-pass for Jhuddo town.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Minister for Irrigation Jam Saiffulah Dharejo, Sindh Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Sindh Raja Muhammad Abbas, Additional Chief Secretary (P and D) Israr Malik, Secretary Irrigation, Khalid Haider Memon, Secretary Finance Sindh, Naveed Kamran Baloch, Secretary to CM Sindh, Alamuddin Bullo, Special Secretary to CM Sindh Atta Muhammad Panhwar, Lieutenant Colonel Sangrez of Pakistan army, former Secretary Irrigation, Idress Rajput and others.