May 26, 2022: On the direction of the Standing Committee on Water Resources, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) released Rs1916 million of the Naulong Dam to Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

This information was given by Commissioner Inland Revenue of Federal Board of Revenue to the Standing Committee on Water Resources.

Previously, it was informed to the Standing Committee that the Government of Pakistan granted Rs1916 million to WAPDA during Budget Session 2018-19 for construction of Naulong Dam. But before the start of construction of the Dam, FBR took away Rs1916 million from the account of Naulong Dam. Hence, the construction of Dam could not be started.

The FBR was of the view that they have receivable against WAPDA. So, they have recovered their receivables. The Standing Committee took serious notice of it and directed that “FBR should pay Rs1916 million deducted from account of Naulong Dam, forthwith, without waiting for other WAPDA funds to arrive. Otherwise, the delay in construction of Naulong Dam would be attributed to FBR”.

Now, the Federal Board of Revenue has given back the said amount to WAPDA. The Standing Committee unanimously appreciated the Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for his positive attitude towards the democratic institution.

The Members of the Standing Committee congratulated the Chairman, Standing Committee on Water Resources Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur, MNA for his historical recommendation and its implementation. The Standing Committee examined the water situation in the country and its distribution.

The Standing Committee was apprised that 69000 cusec feet water was measured on Tounsa Barrage. Whereas, the water on Guddu Barrage was measured to be 37000 cusec feet which shows that water between Taunsa and Guddu Barrage is being theft through illegal pumping by water mafia. The Standing Committee directed that any illegal pumping of water may be stopped forthwith.

However, the Standing Committee directed that available water may be distributed among different federating units in accordance with the spirit of Water Apportionment Accord of 1991. It was pointed out that the share of the water of Balochistan is not being given to Balochistan as per its due share.

The Standing Committee constituted a Special Committee consisting upon Minister, Irrigation Department, Government of Sindh, Minister, Irrigation Department, Government of Balochistan, Chairman, Indus River System Authority (IRSA), Member, IRSA (Balochistan), Secretary, Irrigation Department, Government of Sindh and Secretary, Irrigation Department, Government of Balochistan. The Committee directed that the Special Committee should address the issue and submit its report within seven days. The Chairman, IRSA shall be responsible to submit the report. 

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