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All canals
closed as Punjab gives its water to Sindh
By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE–As a goodwill gesture, Governor Punjab Lt Gen (Retd)
Khalid Maqbool on the direction of President of Pakistan has
instructed to close all canals of Punjab after March 15 with a
view to giving water to Sindh from Punjab’s share.
According to a
handout issued here on Thursday, all the water inflow in
Indus, Jehlum and Chenab rivers will be supplied to Sindh from
Punjab’s share in order to ensure cotton sowing in Sindh.
While giving these
instructions, the Governor said that due to up to 51 per cent
water shortage, Punjab and Sindh provinces have been affecting
adversely.
However, as the cotton cultivation is to begin very shortly in
Sindh, therefore, Punjab despite its own needs, displaying an
exemplary gesture of goodwill for the Sindhi brethren, has
decided to give its share of water to Sindh.
Earlier this week,
the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) had failed to evolve
consensus over distribution of water resources between Punjab
and Sindh as the two big federating units rejected any new
formula and termed endeavours in this connection as violative
of the Water Accord of 1991.
March 17, 2002
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