RAWALPINDI: The local leaders of the ruling PML-N requested the Punjab government to launch a mega project to resolve water shortage in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

They said the Indus water supply project would be the best option for the resolution of the issue if it was included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

However, the provincial government seems not in a mood to start the mega project and asked the local party leaders to pay attention on the completion of ongoing development schemes before the general elections 2018.

PML-N members of parliament from Rawalpindi division met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the Punjab House Islamabad on Sunday night. Federal ministers Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Maryam Aurangzeb and Hamza Shahbaz were present on the occasion.

Shahbaz Sharif asks local lawmakers to concentrate on completion of ongoing development projects before general elections

The ruling party local leaders and members of parliament wanted some mega projects before the general elections but the chief minister made it clear that no such scheme would be started due to the shortage of time.

Upon this, MPA Raja Hanif Advocate requested the chief minister to include the Indus water project in CPEC to end the water shortage complaints in the twin cities.

“At present, water is being supplied to Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas from three sources: Rawal and Khapur dams and tubewells. However, there is still a shortfall of water and if the Indus water supply project from Ghazi Barotha Dam is launched the requirement of the federal capital and the Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas would be met.”

He said it was an old project which could not be launched even though the Punjab government removed the bottlenecks by managing to get the Sindh and KP governments agree on allowing a share for Islamabad and Rawalpindi in the Indus River.

Under the project, Rawalpindi and Islamabad will get 200 million gallon of water daily (MGD). About 100 MGD will be supplied to Islamabad while the city and cantonment areas of Rawalpindi will get 50 MGD each.

Rawalpindi city’s daily water requirement is 55 MGD and at present it gets 50 MGD from the Rawal and Khanpur dams and tubewells leaving a shortfall of five MGD.

However, the chief minister neither expressed his willingness to resolve the issue nor rejected the proposal. He said the matter would be discussed later.

On the other hand, the provision of better health facilities to the residents of Rawalpindi city and other three districts was also discussed and the chief minister wanted to constitute committees at the district headquarters hospitals.

He said all the DHQ hospitals in the province had been provided new CT scan machines and medicines.

Mr Sharif announced to start a safe city project in Rawalpindi, adding similar projects would also be launched in Multan, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Bahawalpur for which funds had been allocated.

He said to provide relief to the citizens, 318 Sasta Ramazan bazaars had been set up throughout the province under the Ramazan package worth Rs9 billion.

The chief minister said reduction in the prices of fertilizers and provision of interest-free loans to farmers benefited small cultivators.

He said the priority of his government was to bring prosperity to the life of the citizens and available resources were being used for this purpose.

The establishment of infrastructure on latest lines has brought record investment to the country and huge amount of funds has been allocated for enhancing healthcare, education, communication facilities, law and order, smooth flow of traffic as well as sports facilities in Rawalpindi, he added.

He said transparency was the hallmark of the government which was working on the roadmap of economic revolution. Energy projects have been completed ahead of schedules, which is increasing the power output. Terrorism has been overcome due to sacrifices of the police, Rangers, Army and the citizens.

Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan briefed the meeting about law and order situation and steps taken regarding security arrangements.

The federal and provincial ministers and lawmakers on the occasion also presented recommendations on the provincial budget.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2017