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Friday, September 13, 2013
PML-Q files adjournment motion against new water accordStaff Report
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has filed an adjournment motion in the Punjab Assembly against IRSA (Indus River System Authority) for finalising an accord for water distribution.
The motion was submitted by three legislators of PML-Q – Dr Muhammad Afzal, Ch Aamir Sultan Cheema and Sardar Waqas Hassan Mokal – in the notice branch of the provincial assembly secretariat on Thursday.
In the motion, the PML-Q legislators expressed their serious reservations on the new formula of water distribution from the authority, questioning under what capacity IRSA finalised the reported accord and argued that any accord could be discussed at the Council of Common Interests only.
They stated in the motion that Punjab would meet its water requirements for agriculture from Mangla Dam and other three provinces from Tarbela Dam.
After submitting the motion, Dr Afzal asked if the reported accord was spot on then why people of South Punjab, elected representatives or the Punjab Assembly had not been taken into confidence prior of this very important decision.
Dr Afzal demanded the Punjab government to share its stance against the reported accord immediately as it was a matter of livelihood of 35 million people of South Punjab associated with agriculture who are already gravely suffering due to shortage of water.
He said, “Takhat Lahore” should not decide fate of millions of people of Punjab unilaterally. He said divisible water resources were reported to be around 114 million acres feet (MAF) whereas practically available water quantity is not more than 104 MAF.
PML-Q legislator said most part of Punjab was irrigated by Indus river water through Chashma Jhelum Link Canal, Taunsa Panjnad Dera Ghazi Khan Canal and Muzaffargarh Canal for availing water from Mangla Dam. If the reported accord is finalised then it is clear that the Punjab in particular the South Punjab will face more shortage of water.
Dr Afzal further questioned whether this is the fate of people of South Punjab that they are drowned when floods come and in normal circumstances, they clamor even for a single drop of water, he asked.
Meanwhile, other movers of the motion, MPAs Aamir Sultan Cheema and Sardar Waqas Hassan Mokal said the PML leadership and Ch Parvez Elahi during his tenure as the chief minister had not talked about equitable progress and prosperity of every part of the province in particular the South Punjab.
The PML-Q legislators also demanded the speaker that this was an issue of public interest so he should take up the matter in the next session for open discussion in the house.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk