Development of Sindh Water Law gains momentum

KARACHI: A crucial meeting on the formulation of the Sindh Water Law was held under the chair of Chairman of Planning & Development Najaf Ahmed Shah on Thursday (Oct 3). The meeting also focused on improving water resource management across the province.

Participants underscored the need to strengthen interaction with relevant line departments to ensure effective coordination and comprehensive management of water and sewerage systems.

The chairman highlighted the growing impact of climate change on water resources, stressing the importance of integrating climate change considerations into the new water law to ensure long-term sustainability. The meeting emphasized the critical need for improving water treatment processes and systems across Sindh, calling for enhanced efforts in this area.

Discussions centred on the enforcement of the proposed water law, aiming to ensure compliance and accountability. The establishment of a licensing framework for water use was proposed, along with developing appropriate pricing mechanisms to regulate water distribution and access. Penalties for violations were identified as essential to ensure adherence to the new regulations.

Special focus was given to drought-prone areas such as Thar, with participants discussing solutions to address the water needs of these vulnerable regions. The regulation of groundwater abstraction was recognized as necessary to manage this critical resource effectively.

The agricultural sector’s water demands were also addressed, with participants calling for a review of the current water shares allocated to agriculture. This led to a broader discussion on improving water regulation to ensure equitable distribution of water resources across the province.The chairman directed that the new water law should align with existing water frameworks to ensure coherence and avoid duplication. A matrix will be developed to facilitate this alignment.