Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said decision to construct new water reservoirs would be taken after consultation with all the stakeholders and taking the politicians and parliament into confidence.
Talking to newsmen here at Prime Minister House, he said the process of consultation would continue and he would meet various delegations during next week.
Shaukat Aziz said water reservoirs were must for the progress and development of agriculture sector which encompasses two-third of the country''s overall economy.
He said, "The agriculture sector will prosper only when abundant water resources are available in the country to cater to the growing water requirements."
The Prime Minister, however, said the government would not ignore the 60 percent population depending on the agriculture sector and ensure sufficient water for agriculture purposes.
Shaukat Aziz said that construction of water reservoirs also came under discussion during his meetings with various politicians and people from different walks of life in his recent visit to Karachi.
Emphasising due water share for each province and the growers, he said, everyone would be taken along for construction of water reservoirs that will bring great progress in the country.
He said the report prepared by the Parliamentary Committee on the water issue would be soon released in the Parliament while the report of the Technical Committee on this issue will be issued for the public.
He said these reports along with the report on the study of water downstream Kotri would also be published in different regional languages so that the people could understand the real situation and the importance of the water.
Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said due to silting the capacity of the present reservoirs was decreasing and no dam was constructed in the last 20 years, which has caused shortage of the water in the country.
He said the main aim of the negotiations of the government with different politicians and stakeholders was to create consensus on the vital issue of water in the country.
The Prime Minister said that reservations, apprehensions and suggestions of the people from different areas would be given due importance before taking any final decision on the construction of reservoirs
He said it would also be discussed in the cabinet and parliament so that every one could give their input in this vital issue which is directly related to the agriculture and economy of the country.
Replying to a question about the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on earthquake reconstruction, the Prime Minister said that consultations in this regard would be held next week and added that the government was looking into all options in this regard.
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