Sindh Water Law proposal- pricing mechanism to be regulated

KARACHI: A meeting was held on the formulation of the Sindh Water Law on Thursday, chaired by the Chairman of Planning and Development, Najam Ahmed Shah.

During the meeting, it was decided that interaction with relevant line departments should be strengthened to ensure effective coordination. The participants highlighted the need to address the water and sewerage system comprehensively to improve management.

The importance of water treatment was emphasized, with a call for enhanced efforts to improve water treatment processes across the province. The Chairman underscored the impact of climate change on water resources, stressing the necessity of incorporating climate change perspectives into the water law to ensure sustainability.

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A strong focus was placed on the enforcement of the proposed water law, aiming to ensure compliance and accountability. The discussion covered the need to establish a licensing framework for water use, alongside developing appropriate pricing mechanisms to regulate water distribution and access. Penalties for violations of the law were highlighted as an essential tool to ensure adherence to regulations.

Special attention was given to drought-prone areas such as the Thar District, with discussions focusing on how to address the water needs of these regions. Additionally, groundwater abstraction was discussed, with the recognition that regulation is needed to manage this vital resource effectively.

The agricultural sector’s water demands were highlighted, with an emphasis on revisiting the current water shares allocated to agriculture. This led to a broader discussion on the need for improved water regulation to ensure equitable distribution of water resources.

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The Chairman directed that the new water law should align with existing water frameworks to maintain coherence and avoid duplication. A matrix will be developed to facilitate this alignment. The involvement of non-governmental agencies was proposed to enhance the effectiveness of the law by incorporating diverse perspectives and expertise.

The technical advisory committee of irrigation was tasked with providing input and commentary on the formulation of the water laws, ensuring that expert opinions are incorporated. Additionally, the importance of ensuring water quality was stressed, highlighting the need for stringent regulations to maintain high standards.