Senate: (Govt to announce water policy in next ten days: Senate told)

ISLAMABAD:The Senate was informed on Thursday that the government will announce water policy in the next ten days.

Replying to a query during Questions Hour, Minister for Water Resources Syed Javed Ali Shah said a high powered meeting today discussed water policy aimed at addressing the issue of water scarcity.

He said the policy is being finalized in consultation with the relevant provincial authorities. He pointed out that during the forthcoming Rabi Season, the country may face a shortfall of twenty percent.

He said the shortages will be passed on to Punjab and Sindh provinces while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan will remain exempted from sharing of shortages.

Javed Ali Shah said a master plan has been prepared to construct new dams to preserve rain water and address the issue of water shortage.

He said WAPDA over the years has completed Mangla Dam raising, Gomal Zam Dam, Satpara Dam and Darawat Dam to store water. He said Diamer Basha and Mohmand dams are ready for construction. He said WAPDA is also planning to construct other dams including Akhori, Shyok and Chiniot dams.

To another question, Minister for Housing and Works, Akram Khan Durrani said efforts are being made to launch development work on Bara Kahu housing scheme at the earliest after approval of its modified design by Capital Development Authority.

He clarified that possession of plots will be handed over after completion of development work.