ISLAMABAD: The Indus River System Authority (Irsa) decided on Wednesday to reopen the Chashma-Jhelum link canal in two to three days after ensuring 155,000 cusecs of water went downstream Guddu.

The decision was announced by the newly-appointed Irsa chairman, Abdul Raqeeb of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after presiding over a meeting, which was also attended by members representing Punjab, Sindh and the federal government and the irrigation secretary of Balochistan.

Mr Raqeeb, who replaced the former chairman and Irsa member from KP Aman Gul Khattak, told media that the meeting reviewed the overall water regulation and decided with consensus to release 285,000 cusecs of water downstream Chashma barrage.

He said the Chashma-Jhelum Link canal would be reopened in two to three days when 155,000 cusecs of water crossed the Guddu Barrage.

The outspoken Irsa’s members of Sindh and the federal government, Muhammad Khan Memon and Bashir Ahmed Dahar, were not available to media to confirm if the decision about the CJ opening had been taken with consensus.

Informed sources said that the federal government had forbidden public statements by any member of Irsa on any aspect of the water regulation or the CJ opening with strict orders that only the chairman and the official spokesmen would speak to media.

Their views were, however, made known to the public by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who criticised the role of the water and power ministry.

The Irsa chairman said that about 135,000 cusecs of water was currently going downstream Guddu and its increase to 155,000 cusecs would ensure that Sindh and Balochistan had started getting their full share.

He said that Balochistan was currently facing a water shortage of about 40 per cent and it would be overcome once the increased quantities reached Guddu.

When asked how much water would be released through the CJ, the chairman said it would depend on Punjab’s indents and whatever may be the province’s request it would be met. He said that Sindh’s share had now been increased to 240,000 cusecs as per its revised indents.

Irsa’s spokesman Khalid Rana said that Punjab had forwarded an indent of 15,000 cusecs from the CJ link canal. In addition, Punjab’s current water demand and supply stood at 130,000 cusecs. He said that Balochistan would get 13,000 cusecs and KP 3000 cusecs.

Courtesy by dawn.com