News
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Punjab, Sindh settle water row* CMs of both provinces agree to close Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal
* New IRSA chairman appointed, Shafqat Masood to continue working as Punjab member
* PM for ‘depoliticisation’ of IRSA
* Rejects resignations of IRSA’s Sindh, federal membersBy Zeeshan Javaid
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab and Sindh governments have agreed to close the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal in a bid to resolve the row over water distribution, as the chief ministers of both provinces held discussions with each other following a meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday.
Sources privy to the meeting told Daily Times that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah agreed that the Indus River System Authority’s (IRSA) decision to open the link canal was not according to rules and it should be immediately overturned for inter-provincial harmony.
The sources said IRSA acting chairman Shafqat Masood has also been removed and succeeded by Raqeeb Khan Khattak from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At the conclusion of the meeting between the two chief ministers and their teams, the PM was informed that reservations of Sindh regarding the procedure adopted by IRSA in its July 6 meeting had been withdrawn by consensus and with immediate effect.
The PM was also informed that IRSA will now hold a meeting today (Wednesday) to review the water distribution regulations keeping in view the current water availability and provincial indents of various canal systems.
Gilani praised “the sagacity” of the chief ministers of both provinces in reaching an amicable and expeditious settlement of the water issue.
Earlier, the PM chaired a meeting of the four chief ministers and the federal water and power minister at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to resolve the row between Punjab and Sindh.
Gilani stressed that the government would protect the rights of all the provinces and ensure the equitable distribution of water by following the 1991 water accord.
The PM also emphasised the “depoliticisation” of IRSA to make it more effective. He also called for installing a reliable water monitoring system that is acceptable to all the provinces.
Gilani told the meeting that all the provinces have a stake in each other’s prosperity. “What binds us together is greater than what drives us apart,” Gilani said. “The consensus over the 18th Amendment, the National Finance Commission award, Gilgit-Baltistan reforms and the fight against terrorism are all proof of the political maturity and sagacity of both the national and provincial leaderships,” the PM said.
He thanked the chief ministers for participation in the meeting and appreciated their positive attitude for agreeing in principle to a negotiated settlement. The four chief ministers appreciated the role played by PM Gilani in resolving the differences over water distribution.
The PM also rejected the resignations of Sindh and federal members, Muhammad Khan Memon and Bashir Dahir, and directed them to resume their duties.
Both the members had tendered their resignations to protest against the reopening of the link canal.
The sources said that Raqeeb Khan Khattak’s appointment had been approved by the PM and he is likely to take charge today (Wednesday) after an official notification is issued. Shafqat Masood will continue to serve as the Punjab member in IRSA.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk