 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
 |
|
 |
| Blockage of Chenab water to wreck Punjab economy: CM |
|
|
|
Thursday, November 13, 2008
By our correspondent
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that blocking the flow in the Chenab by India will devastate the agricultural economy of the province and adversely affect 5.6 million acres of its fertile land. He said there was a need for prompt and effective measures to deal with the grave situation.
He was addressing a meeting held to consider the issue of the Chenab and its impact on the agriculture sector here at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Wednesday The chief minister said that the violation of the Indus Basin Treaty by India and blockage of Pakistan’s share of water was a serious issue and it would cause irreparable damage to the agriculture sector in Punjab if it was not tackled properly. He said the blockage of Chenab water would adversely affect fertile areas of Lahore, Narowal, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Hafizabad, Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib. He said in view of the gravity of the situation, he would ask Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to talk to India for addressing the issue.
Shahbaz said the water of the Chenab was vital for agri sector of the province. He directed the Irrigation secretary to evolve a plan for storage of the flood water while assuring that all necessary funds would be provided for this purpose. He said any shortfall in agri production would affect the national economy and there was a need to find solution to this problem as well as the alternative sources.
Earlier, the Irrigation secretary gave a detailed briefing on the issue of the Chenab water. He said that under the Indus Basin Treaty, India was bound to release at least 55,000 cusec water to Pakistan at Marala but it was violating the agreement and releasing less water than Pakistan’s share.
He said India was launching power generation projects at more than 10 places, including the Baghliar and Salar dams. Chief Minister directed Secretary Irrigation to submit him a comprehensive report on the issue within next 48 hours.
Punjab Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad, Senior Advisor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa, Tanveer Ashraf Kaira, Rana Sanaullah, Ahmad Ali Aulakh and the chief secretary were also present on the occasion.
|
|
|
| Back
| Send
this story to Friend | Print
Version |
|
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
