By Mujeeb Rahman Qambrani
MEHAR: Sindh’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, has described the country’s water shortage as a serious national issue, saying a lasting solution depends on the effective implementation of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.
Addressing the water crisis, Shah referred to India’s dam construction projects and said protests had been held across Pakistan on the instructions of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He added, however, that the issue would remain unresolved unless the 1991 water-sharing agreement was implemented in full.
He said water shortages were affecting not only Sindh but other provinces as well, noting that residents of Balochistan had also protested over the issue and raised their concerns with Sindh ministers. Shah said the shortage was expected to continue for another two months, with conditions likely to improve after the monsoon rains in August.
The minister also highlighted the work of the Culture Department, saying efforts were under way to protect archaeological sites and action was being taken against those responsible for damaging historical heritage. He added that officials found absent during inspections of departmental offices in Dadu, Moro and Nawabshah had been suspended.
Shah said the government was also working to improve public libraries across Sindh. Referring to the closure of the Mehar Library, he explained that it had previously been managed by a social organisation that shut it down after running out of funds. The library has now been transferred to the Culture Department and, he said, will be reopened with upgraded facilities, including electricity, Wi-Fi and other services for students.
Commenting on incidents involving missing and kidnapped children, Shah said the Sindh government regarded the issue as a top priority. He acknowledged public concern over the administration’s response and said the authorities must ensure that cases involving missing and abducted children are resolved as quickly as possible.
Lawyer Sarfaraz Ali, Liaquat Ali Janwari and several other local figures were also present during the visit.
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