LAHORE: The federal government should appoint “neutral observers” to resolve the water distribution issues between Punjab and Sindh as the matter is lingering because of non-cooperation by the latter, claims provincial Irrigation Minister Mohsin Leghari.

       Addressing a press conference along with Special Assistant to the CM Hasaan Khawar, the minister said the issue of water distribution was taken up by a standing committee of the National Assembly in May last year. Later, a meeting was convened by the prime minister where it was decided to form a team of neutral observers. The federation did it, and so did Punjab, but Sindh refused. Since then, Sindh has not allowed a neutral team to visit its barrages. In November, a team visited Taunsa Barrage, but Sindh did not allow it to inspect Guddu Barrage. Hence, the dispute lingers, Mr Leghari regretted.

       Speaking on the occasion, the SACM claimed the government was fully focused on developing Punjab and pointed out that irrigation sector reforms had not been undertaken in the past 70 years. Four dams constructed during the PTI government’s tenure were more significant than the 57 constructed during the last 70 years.

       The minister pointed out that Punjab was the only province working on water development resources. Providing details, he claimed Punjab had to its credit the world’s best irrigation system that irrigated 21 million acres of land. The Jalalpur canal irrigation system was a mega project as the 117-kilometre canal from Rasul Barrage in the Jhelum canal would irrigate 170,000 acres of land in Pind Dadan Khan and Khushab.

       Meanwhile, the irrigation department has started working to implement the e-abiyana system across Punjab and the e-procurement system has also been enforced to ensure transparency in the contract rewarding process. The government has approved the Punjab Water Act 2019 to ensure improvement in water management, he added. Mr Leghari disclosed that 27,000 cases were reported during a campaign against water theft, around 2,600 first information reports were lodged and 1,000 people arrested. He said a human resource management system has been enforced to digitise the irrigation department.

       Replying to questions, SACM Khawar vowed to deliver the maximum to people in 2022, adding that the health card was a ray of hope that would maintain a healthy competition between private hospitals while decreasing the load on government facilities. The entire country, except Sindh, would benefit from the initiative as the rulers of the province were oblivious to the plight of their people.

       He advised PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to get a Lahore domicile to benefit from the health card. He further remarked that the PPP’s politics was in danger in Sindh and Bilawal should focus on his province because the people would claim revenge from the ruling party in the 2023 elections.

       Mr Khawar also claimed PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif was in trouble after becoming a guarantor for his elder brother. The PML-N may be hopeful of a victory after the return of Nawaz Sharif, but the former PM would have to go to jail on his return. The SACM said the silence of PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz was meaningful.

       He also stressed the government was focused on developing Punjab through long-term projects and reforms.

       To a question, the SACM said the coronavirus situation was being monitored and the focus was on vaccination instead of imposing lockdowns to keep the economy in motion.

       The attack on PML-N leader Bilal Yasin was being investigated and the chief minister was monitoring it. After the attack, CM Usman Buzdar telephoned Mr Yasin and demanded a transparent investigation into the incident.

       Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2022