Murad vows to oppose new dams on Indus River

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has vowed to oppose the construction of any new water storage system or dam on the Indus River until a consensus is developed among all stakeholders, including Sindh which is home to the river’s lower end.

While presiding over a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting to be held in the federal capital, CM Shah said on Monday that Sindh would oppose any storage system on the river proposed under the National Water Policy, which will be discussed by the CCI, stated a press release.

Briefing the CM, Irrigation Secretary Jamal Shah said that an amendment proposed by the Sindh government had been incorporated in the proposed NWP. This amendment pertains to securing Katcha areas of the province; preservation of Sindh’s delta area by providing sufficient supplies regularly and rainwater disposal arrangement in plains where it cannot be disposed of or diverted into the river.

According to him, the proposal had been given by the chief minister to implement the Water Apportionment Accord 1991 in true letter and spirit, and prevent any amendments in its provisions at any level or forum. The water distribution as elaborated [under the accord] shall be adjusted proportionate and distributed to the provinces accordingly, he said.

The chief minister said he would take up the issue again in the CCI meeting.The irrigation secretary pointed out that an amendment the CM had proposed had not been incorporated in the revised draft of the NWP. The amendment states that the provinces were responsible for routine repair and maintenance of flood protection dykes, flood fighting and drainage. However, in case of major catastrophic floods, like the ones in 2010, the federal government will provide supplementary funds.

CM Shah said that the proposed amendment was important and he would again raise the issue at the CCI meeting.Moreover, the chief minister was also told that his amendment “Build large dams for system augmentation with consensus of all federating units,” has also not been incorporated. On this, Shah said that he was writing a letter to the prime minister with the request to formulate a policy under which new storage/dams would not be allowed without the consensus.

He added that the preface of the NWP should be, “This National Water Policy recognises the internationally accepted right of lower riparian on water. Any diversions/intervention in the smooth flow of water would not be allowed until and unless the consensus of all federating units, particularly the lower riparian is achieved,”

According to the CM, Sindh and Balochistan had already faced serious water issues. The construction of new storage systems or dams would cause further devastation. “We would not accept the new water policy until and unless our proposed amendment is incorporated,” he said.

Moreover, the Sindh government has proposed another amendment to the NWP. This provision states that a National Water Council (NWC) should be established comprising the prime minister, federal water and power minister, federal minister for climate change, federal minister for national food security and research, the deputy commissioner of Planning & Commission, chief ministers of provinces, provincial irrigation ministers as well as members of the private sector associated with water-related disciplines as members and advisers.

The amendment further states that the Federal Flood Commission would be secretary of the council, while the prime minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan along with their irrigation or agriculture ministers will be invited to the meeting of NWC as observers.

Laying out the functions of the NWC, the amendment adds that it will review and coordinate the implementation of the NWP and national water sector strategy in the country and periodic updating of the same. It would also recommend legislation, policies and strategies for water resources development and management in the country; work on national planning and coordination for water resources development and management activities among concerned organisations at federal as well as provincial governmental level to achieve the objective of NWP.

Moreover, the NWC would also be responsible for creating an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi stakeholders participation and integrated water resources management with due consideration for environment and ecology. It will coordinate with concerned organisations responsible for controlling pollution of water bodies, manage a centralised water resources database service and perform other functions which the ICC may assign to it.

The CM told the meeting that these suggestions should be incorporated in the National Water Policy. “I would take up all these issues in the meeting with the objective to safeguard the rights of smaller provinces, particularly of the lower riparian,” he said.