‘Govt succeeds in generating consensus over vital national issues’
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Salim Saifullah Khan Wednesday said that government has succeeded in generating consensus over various national issues in the shortest time and would adhere to the same strategy in future.
He was addressing at the concluding session of national seminar on “ Problems and Politics of Water Sharing and Water Management in Pakistan” held under the aegis of Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) here.
The minister referring to water issue said, it is not a national or provincial issue but a vital issue of global proportions. Unfortunately in the past such issues fell prey to political intrigues resulting in undue delayed solutions, he added.
“The government settled various national issues under the dynamic leadership of President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and with the grace of God country is now on the right track with bright future,” the minister said.
The minister said, for reaching at consensus, elaborate efforts involving all the aspirations of four provinces are taken into account.
“Due to the hectic and sincere efforts on part of the government, various issues like water sharing, construction of dams, and share of provinces in the national divisible pool have been settled amicably, the minister added.
Harmony is the essential element for reaching at a consensus and it is a matter of great satisfaction that the countrymen are blessed with this quality, the minister said.
Salim Saifullah underscored the need for a long term strategy to cope with lingering water shortage problem globally.
He said, “The importance of water availability can be gauged from the research made by international experts who say that future wars would be fought over water resources.”
He stressed the need that experts should continue pouring their valuable suggestions with regard to formulation of national strategies.
To realize the future challenge of water crises in the face of growing population, it is requisite that we should have a sound strategy, he added.
The concluding session was also addressed by President IPRI Professor Dr Pervez Iqbal Cheema and Resident Representative Hanns Seidel Foundation, Islamabad Richard Asbeck.
They presented recommendations reached at during the six brain storming sessions of the seminar.