Kalabagh Dam to benefit entire country: Wapda chief

MKRMS seminar on water issues

LAHORE

Water issues can only be resolved through a political settlement among federating units, said Water & Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Zafar Mehmood while addressing a seminar on ‘Water issues of Pakistan’ here Friday which was organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers). 

Speaking on the occasion, Wapda Chairman said Pakistan is a federation and we have to respect sentiments of people living in all four provinces and allied territories. Indus Basin used to provide water for drinking, irrigation and other use as it is a shared legacy of all of us. Therefore, we have to develop it jointly so every decision about use of its water will have to be taken collectively. 

Differences over use of water are a common phenomenon all over the world between upper riparian and lower riparian. But, he said, these differences can be overcome through negotiation and dialogue. Pakistan is a gift of God, comprising of federating units that contributed to its formation. This federation has to survive and all problems relating to water distribution have to be solved amicably. It is my own view and requirement of the Constitution also besides essential for the integrity of the country, he observed. 

I have written a series of 26 articles with the same spirit and zeal. I wholly own responsibility of the veracity of the facts presented in it, Wapda chairman said. 

He said that important thing was how to proceed forward from this stalemate. He dispelled the notion that some external agency would succeed in building dam or army intervention would lead to its construction or we can build this dam unilaterally. "We all will have to sit together for understanding our respective point of view and removing our differences for building it. All this decision-making process can be solely relied on political grounds to make a firm decision, he said emphatically. It is my opinion that only political decisions are beneficial for the country and lead to strengthen its very foundation." 

Amicable signing of Water Accord between federating units in 1991 was testimony of this fact, he said, adding with all of its might, British era failed to conclude such water accord in this part of the world. During post-partition period, Chief Justice Committee also tried but could not produce required results as far as water distribution is concerned. It was only politicians who struggled in right direction and yielded positive and durable results. Enactment of this accord resulted in formation of Indus River System Authority (IRSA), which is successfully taking care of water distribution among the provinces since then. 

Despite having provision of raising difference over decisions taken by IRSA at platform of Council of Common Interests (CCI), none have used this option till now. It simply means that mechanism being adopted by IRSA is a success story. I believe that with same spirit, we have started our journey to resolving water issues while safeguarding interests of all provinces, he observed. He expressed the hope that with the help of media and intellectuals and notables, we will succeed in reaching out to a sustainable inter-provincial solution of our water-related problems. 

Pakistan water related problems are multiplying with passage of time keeping in view exploding population rate, he said, adding the dwindling per capita availability of water has also started squeezing supplies for irrigation. 

He was of the view that construction of Kalabagh Dam had become a fundamental issue so far as water-related problems of our country were concerned. If we succeed in resolving this problem, we will solve other allied issues with a new spirit. The fundamental reason of opposition to construction of Kalabagh Dam has been some apprehensions about it in the minds of various quarters, he said, adding such misunderstanding could be removed by presenting facts about this project. 

He said that KBD project was very beneficial for all parts of the country and federation of the country would be further strengthened following its setting up.

Suhail Warraich, senior anchorperson, said that building of new dams was need of the hour for resolving problems of the country. He said that judicious distribution of water can only be done provided we are able to preserve it. He said that articles written by Wapda Chairman would help in disseminating facts about construction of dams among masses. He added that construction of Kalabagh Dam would be a good omen for the country and everyone would get benefited from it.

PJ Mir, senior anchorperson, said that water is a blessing of Allah that has been given to us. However, he added, we have not succeeded in preserving it. He warned that water availability would be drastically reduced in days to come, which is a disturbing development. We are urgently required to build dams in the country. 

Asghar Nadeem Syed, noted writer and thinker said that facts presented in the articles written by Wapda Chairman was a novel effort that had initiated a debate on this very important issue. He said we have right to ask question to our leaders about such issues. There are three issues so far as water problems in the country are concerned, he said,  adding we face droughts, floods and low quality of water in the country. 

Dr Salman Shah, former finance minister said that water issue affect whole province. Therefore, he added, we have to get united to resolve this important issue. He said that we have failed to build dam in the last 40 years or so. Contrary to this, he added, India and other countries have made thousands of dams for conserving water. He linked water to economic development, saying Pakistan lost 1,000 billion dollars due to non-availability of water since then. Our economy could have been tripled had we been able to build dams.  He said that sit-in should be staged on hot issue of building dams and for creating awareness on augmenting water sharing among provinces.  Javaid Iqbal, renowned cartoonist said that Pakistan would gain swift development if we succeed in building dams in the country. We should step ahead for raising this issue in order to give boost to the development of the country. Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, VC University of Agriculture, Faisalabad said that KBD was indispensable for increasing water for the agriculture sector. It is the waterways that brought revolution to barren land in countryside, he said and added we needed to continue providing water to various sectors throughout year by storing it in dams. Poverty can only be mitigated in rural areas by providing dependable supplies of water, he observed. 

Hamid Malhi, Director Farmers Associates of Paksitan said that it was a fault that we had surrendered our eastern rivers to India after partition. All the water of Punjab province had been gifted to India under Indus Water Treaty. He said that Punjab had been forced to become victim of water shortages since then. Despite having lion’s share in agriculture productivity, he said, water share of the province could not be enhanced due to one reason or the other. 

Riaz Ahmad Khan, former President Pakistan Engineering Congress said that every drop of water had virtually been saved in developed and developing countries by constructing dams. However, he added, unfortunately Pakistan failed to do so despite that fact that sufficient water was available in summer. He stressed the need to build KBD as soon as possible. 

Wasif Nagi, host of the seminar and Editor Health, Education and Current Affairs and  MKRMS Chairman said that ever increasing population was a big challenge for the country, saying construction of dams were indispensable for meeting water requirement of this burgeoning population.