News
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Pak-US water talks end on ‘promising note’* US team assures Pakistan support on water issues, but with no announcement on financial assistance
* 5th session of dialogue will be held in Washington in April
By Zeeshan Javaid
ISLAMABAD: The fourth round of dialogue between Washington and Islamabad on water issues came to a close on Wednesday without any financial commitments by the US officials to improve water management issues in Pakistan, well placed sources informed Daily Times.
Sources said that water and power managers tabled their constraints for financial assistance on two major hydro power projects, including 4500MW Diamer Basha Dam having construction cost of $11.9 billion as well as 83.5MW Kurram Tangi hydro power project with estimated construction cost of Rs 17.2 billion.
However, using delaying tactics, the US team only assured Pakistan of full support in diffusing the energy crisis. Fourth dialogue on water issues was held between Pakistani water and power managers and US team led by US Under Secretary for Global Affair Maria Otero to discuss challenges faced by Pakistan in water and power sector.
Sources further maintained that US officials stressed Pakistan to bring down the huge volume of water wastage as well as bring improvement in water cost recovery to meet basic financial needs so that power crisis in the country could be met. US also reiterated its commitment to support Pakistan in handling water-related problems, saying it would extend full support to the capacity building of Pakistani professionals, improvement of irrigation system, water conservation as well as helping the country overcome water scarcity.
“Pakistan is our valued partner and we will help it come out of troubles,” said US Under Secretary for Global Affair Maria Otero.
She said that dialogue would be focused on supporting Pakistan’s response to the water issue.
Maria said that around 2/3rd world’s population would have to face water stress by 2025, so it was a very complex issue and pragmatic strategy had to be devised to tackle it.
She said she would also visit other provinces to discuss water challenges with people at the helm of affairs there.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Agriculture and Water Resources Kamal Majeedullah said that Pakistan was very proactive towards water shed management.
He said water management depended on availability of water, and with growing population it would be very critical to make water available to every one in future.
He said Pakistan and US could work together and find solutions to water issues.
He said fast mechanism and latest technologies were being used for the storage of water.
During regular and workshop session, presentations were made by the federal government and provinces on water sector issues, water sector reforms, irrigation network, and current challenges.
The meeting also discussed and reviewed in detail progress and recommendation on the establishment of National Water Commission and formulation of National Water Policy.
The US delegation said that it was actively considering cooperation for constructing Diamer Bhasha Dam and Kurram Tangi Dam.
It also offered cooperation in the water data collection procedure.
Water and Power Secretary Imtiaz Kazi addressing the dialogue session said that Pakistan wanted US support in training, capacity building of officials in the introduction and implementation of modern technologies for water conservation.
He said that there was no concept of water management and storage. “It is need of the hour to sensitise public in this regard,” he said. It was announced that 5th session of water dialogue would be held in Washington in April 2012.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk