950820

ABSAR

Govt to seek funds

from IBRD to

improve canal

irrigation system

SIKANDER HAYAT

ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting, chaired by President Farooq Ahmad Leghari on Sunday, decided in principle to seek funds from the World Bank and other multi-lateral donors to improve the efficiency of the century-old canal irrigation system.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, all the four chief ministers, Water and Power Minister Ghulam Mustafa Khar, Special Assistant to PM V A Jafarey and Water and Power Secretary Salman Farooqui.

The meeting also discussed the privatization of canal water distribution system but, according to a source, no firm opinion was formed on this issue.

Kalabagh Dam also came under discussion, it was further learnt.

The meeting was of the view that leakages of water from the canals and distributaries result in massive loss of water which, according to one assessment, equal the total storage capacity of the Mangla Dam.

The World Bank gave Pakistan about 100 million dollars for strengthening the banks of canals and de-silting of distributaries during the last five-year plan. But no significant augmentation in water supply was, however achieved.