News
Friday, June 18, 2010
Pakistan and US agree on water sector partnership* Meeting agrees on need of setting up water regulatory authority
* Kerry-Lugar assistance to be utilised in 11 development sectorsBy Sajid Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and US officials on Thursday agreed to strengthen ties in the water sector, and stressed the need for setting up a new regulatory authority to deal with the issue of water shortage.
The visiting US delegation met Pakistani officials to discuss the management of Pakistan’s water resources.
The US delegation was led by Maria Otero, the undersecretary for Democracy and Global Affairs at the US State Department, and David Lipton, the special assistant to the US president. The Pakistani side was led by Federal Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.
The US officials agreed with the Water and Power Ministry that Pakistan needed a water regulatory authority to deal with rising water insecurity in the region. The authority will implement the justified usage of water across the country.
The officials stressed that the new water regulatory authority should consist of federal and provincial government officials and should ensure that equal amount of water is used in all areas of the country.
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has forwarded eleven proposals to the visiting US delegation for water conservation and enhancement of water resources in the country.
Meanwhile, official sources said on Thursday that the ongoing talks between Pakistani and US officials on 11 key sectors of the Pakistani economy would form the basis of utilising aid provided under the Kerry-Lugar Act.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk