Indus River System Authority (Irsa) said on Thursday that if additional water reservoirs are not constructed in the country, people will die from starvation, and the government would face massive protests as Pakistani population is expected to increase manifold by 2025.
These apprehensions were placed before Senate Committee on Water Resources, presided over by Senator Yousaf Badini.
The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Thursday directed the Indus Water System Authority (IRSA) to install telemetry system at earliest for ensuring judicious water distribution among the provinces.
Briefing the committee, Member Irsa Punjab, Rao Irshad Ali Khan, said that the share of provinces can only be increased if water reservoirs are constructed.
Presently, on average since 1947 to 2018, around 29MAF water goes to the sea per annum without being used. If that water is stored by constructing reservoirs 'it would become Pakistan's additional resource'. He said, wastage of 29MAF water means that Pakistan has been losing $ 29 billion in economic value per annum for the last 43 years. Pakistan can irrigate 20 million acres of land in Balochistan (15 million), Sindh (2.5 million acres) and Punjab (2.5 million acres) if water reservoirs are constructed.
The per capita water availability in Pakistan at present is around 865 cubic meters which is likely to go down to 850 cubic meters in 2025.
He said, in 2025 Pakistan is likely to face shortage due to increase in population and Pakistanis will starve as a result of food shortage. He cited the example of the controversial Faizabad sit-in, with gathering of around 3000 people, which created problems for the government.
"Five percent of the population facing starvation means 10 million people and if these people come out on the streets it will be difficult to maintain law and order. Be aware of the time when those starving come out from their houses and challenge the law and order situation," he continued.
Sensing that Irsa representative was very vocal, Secretary Water Resources, Muhammad Ashraf, asked him to proceed to the next topic.
Irsa representative further stated that Pakistan has surplus water only in three months, i.e, June, July and August compared to requirements. Pakistan's requirement is 290,000 cusecs. In three months 70 percent water is stored in reservoirs whereas in Rabi only 20 percent water is received.
He stated that before the construction of reservoirs Pakistan did not have any stored water. In Chenab inflows reduce to 8000 cusecs and Indus 16000 or 17000 cusecs respectively during the winter months.
Rao Irshad said that Pakistan receives water inflows of 145MAF per annum of which 90 MAF is from Indus system, Jehlum 22MAF, Chenab 26 MAF, eastern rivers 6 MAF.
Secretary Water Resources said that water issues are settled at the level of Council of Common Interests (CCI) and Senate Committee cannot discuss such issues. However, Senator Walid Iqbal said that the committee can get an update on water issues.
The representative of Punjab government citing an inspection report of Irsa which says that Sindh is concealing water figures suggested that telemetry system should be installed as early as possible to ensure transparency and confidence building amongst the federating units.
Senator Sana Jamali also urged Irsa to install telemetry system to ensure judicious distribution of water.
The committee was informed that Irsa had sought bids for installation of telemetry system but the process was halted after it was reported that the bidder's performance in Punjab was not satisfactory. Irsa will again seek bids for the project. The system will be installed in two years time. The committee directed IRSA to expedite the process.
According to official statement, the meeting commenced with a briefing on issues regarding distribution amongst provinces as per the Water Apportionment Accord 1991. The committee was informed that the record of actual average system uses for the period 1977-82, would form the guideline for developing a future regulation pattern. These ten daily uses would be adjusted pro-rata to correspond to the indicated seasonal allocations for the different canal systems and would form the basis for sharing shortages and surpluses on all Pakistan basis.
The mechanism of distribution entails estimation of water available before the crop, approval of technical/advisory committee as per Water Apportionment Accord 1991 and criteria for reservoirs operation. Provinces prepare their canal withdrawal plans as per their allocated shares. The provinces place their indents on 5 daily to 10 daily basis to Irsa. Provinces supply their water account on 10 daily basis and statements are reviewed and circulated to all the provinces by Irsa for reconciliation and transparency.
The committee enquired about the telemetry system that is to be installed to check water flows. The committee recommended until this process is completed, water inspectors be deputed at distributions points to keep a check on any irregularities that may occur. The Committee was also informed that Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are exempted from water shortages and that development of Karez and Dams must be expedited to conserve water in these two provinces.
While discussing the Extension of Pat Feeder Canal Project and issues regarding non-payment of dues to contractors the Committee questioned the need of a third party in the project. It directed Government of Balochistan, Irrigation Department to submit all documentation including court orders and the NDC Report. It instructed that all third party claims must be settled within a week so that contractors do not suffer.
The committee was briefed about the progress on the construction of small dams in Balochistan the committee asserted that to expedite the process a letter will be sent to Secretary Irrigation.
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