ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water Resources Khursheed Shah said due to our high population water budget should be allocated equal to 15 percent of Gross Development Product (GDP). He expressed these views while replying to call attention notice on National Assembly floor.

Member Assembly Mohsin Laghari presented call attention notice regarding Indian notification on changes in Indus Water Treaty. Mohsin Laghari said water is our survival, we should have replied India but we didn't. Khursheed Shah said on this our meeting is today in this regard. Our population is high. Water budget should be allocated 15 percent of GDP. We should pass resolution in this regard, Khursheed Shah said.

“I suggest NA shall pass resolution demanding allocation of 15 percent of GDP for construction of water reservoirs as survival of nation links with construction of new water reservoirs.”

Khurseed Shah warned, “Country will suffer if construction of water reservoirs was not given priority and due attention.”

He said rapid population growth demanded construction of more water reservoirs to meet water requirement for drinking and agriculture purposes. He said country’s water storage capacity would improve with construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams.

He regretted that main reason behind poverty in country was non-utilisation of natural resources appropriately, stressing need for tapping their [resources] full potential by taking corrective measures.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 01 2023

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