High priority given to clean drinking water: Jatoi
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—The Federal Minister for Water and Power, Liaquat Ali Jatoi has said that the drinking water is the highest priority of the government and all steps are being taken to provide clean drinking water to the people.
He made these observations while presiding over a meeting regarding supply of drinking water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad to meet the requirements upto 2050 from Ghazi Barotha canal and other water resources. The Minister said that the government has planned to provide clean drinking water to the people of all the villages and towns of even far flung areas without any delay. The work on these projects has already been initiated.
He directed that the most economic options should be prepared, judious use of water assessed and requirements should be fully met regarding supply of water to the twin cities. While evaluating the supply options, recurring cost should be kept in view and preference should be given to gravity flow of water to reduce the cost, he added. He also directed the concerned authorities to wok expeditiously to complete the task well in time to meet the demand of the twin cities.
The Minister also formed a Committee headed by Member Water (Wapda) comprising representatives from CDA, RDA, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and IRSA and directed to come up with a detailed report on demand assessment and supply options within one month to the Ministry.
Earlier, the Minister was given a detailed briefing on supply of water from Ghazi Barotha to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, supply requirements, consumption and various options of supply from the water sources by CDA, RDA, Wapda and the project consultants. The meeting discussed various suggestions to reach at cost effective and technical and economical viable options.
Mr. Jatoi also observed that wasteful use of water needs to be discouraged by CDA, RDA and RCB and stressed the need to initiate the schemes for installation of water meters.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Ministry of Water and Power, Additional Secretary, Member Water (Wapda), Chairman IRSA, Chairman CDA, DG RDA, Chief Commander Engineering Corps, Station Commander RCB and senior officials of the Ministry, CDA and RCB.