SECTION I
PCWR AIMS & OBJECTIVES
1.1 SECTION SUMMARY:

1.1.1

 The Irrigation System of Pakistan is the largest integrated irrigation network in the world serving over 36 million acres of contiguous cultivated land. Despite an extensive irrigation infrastructure, the country is facing severe water shortages due to increasing population, increased cropping intensity, sedimentation of reservoirs, seepage losses, continuing droughts, lack of system capacity and no consensus on new storages. There is a strong and growing need to manage water resource more carefully and efficiently to ensure water for all on a sustainable basis. The food needs of the future can only be met through combined measures in water conservation, lining, critical maintenance of the irrigation system and constructing additional small and large storages. The Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources (PCWR) was constituted by the Speaker of the National Assembly on October 10, 2003 (Annexure-I) to develop consensus on National Irrigation Water Strategy ensuring that it remained environmental friendly and preserving the ecology of the country. In the very first meeting of the Committee, its TORs were expanded to include review of 1991 Water Accord for its implementation and also to look at areas outside the Indus Basin, specially in Balochistan.


1.2
MEMBERS OF PCWR:

1.2.1

Following are the members of the Committee:

i.

Senator Nisar A. Memon – Sindh Chairman

ii.

Senator Ms. Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli - NWFP Member

iii.

Senator Mir Muhammad Naseer Mengal – Balochistan Member

iv.

Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas – Punjab Member

v.

 Al Syed Abdul Qadir Jamaluddin Al-Gillani-MNA, Balochistan Member

vi.

Mr. Jehangir Khan Tareen – MNA, Punjab Member

vii.

Haji Muhammad Ali Malkani – MNA, Sindh Member

viii.

 Mr. Sher Akbar Khan – MNA, NWFP Member


1.3
TERMS OF REFERENCES:


1.3.1


The initial TORs of the Committee that were notified by the Speaker of the National Assembly are as follows:

i.

To develop a National Irrigation Water Strategy with National consensus in order to ensure sustainability to the National Irrigation System by reducing huge water losses through critical maintenance of the system including lining of canals and to ensure that the quantum of necessary water storages required for the optimal and sustainable running of the entire canal system is secured and protected.

ii.

To suggest ways and means to ensure that the National Irrigation Water Strategy remains environmental friendly and preserves the ecology of our country with special focus on the minimum required outflow/ discharge below Kotri into the sea.


1.3.2


In the very first meeting of PCWR held on November 11, 2003, following TORs were added, which were subsequently shared with the Prime Minister and Speaker in meeting with Chairman PCWR and accepted:

i.

To review previous Water Accords and to discuss their impacts for incorporation in the National Irrigation Water Strategy.

ii.

To look into the areas of the country which fall outside the Indus Basin and to suggest ways and means of using the available water resources of these areas through means such as check dams, delayed action dams, rainwater harvesting, etc.


1.4
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON WATER RESOURCES & TOR's:


1.4.1


Technical Committee on Water Resources (TCWR) was constituted by the Ministry of Water & Power on November 15, 2003, in pursuance of the directive of the President of Pakistan (Annexure-II). However, due to administrative and TOR issues brought forward by the Chairman Technical Committee, it started its formal functioning in February 2004. Following are the TORs of the Committee:

i.

Review issues relating to distribution of water according to 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and submit recommendations for streamlining water distribution amongst the Provinces.

ii.

Assess the need for constructing dams/reservoirs for future requirements and to make up for the shortages of water due to silting of Tarbela and Mangla dams and recommend sequencing of future storages

iii.

Reviews the progress achieved so far regarding study on escapages below Kotri and recommend measures to expedite the completion of the study.

iv.

a) Determination of water availability for future reservoirs & irrigation schemes.
b) Ascertain actual quantity of water passed downstream Kotri from 1976-2003.

v.

a) Examine filling criteria of Mangla reservoir & make recommendations in this regard.
b) Examination of operational criteria of link canals and future reservoirs.
vi. Complement the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources in the discharge of its functions.
vii. The Committee shall submit its report/recommendations within one year.
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