Tarbela water for twin cities: ANP demands royalty

While giving his observation on a question in ‘Question Hour’ in the Upper House of the Parliament, Senator Zahid Khan, ANP Information Secretary observed that government had planned to supply water to twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi from Tarbella Dam.“If this water will be supplied to the people free of cost----it is OK, however, if the federal government plans to make money out of this basic commodity---then royalty must to be paid to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” he added.He said that earlier, government had been supply water to residents of twin cities from Khanpur Dam, but it had increased water bills of consumers. “I am unable to understand why the federal government charges from consumers if there is no import, excise or custom duties on indigenously produced water?” he questioned.Earlier, the Senate was told that a proposal for conduction of water from Indus River System Tarbela to Islamabad was being examined in consultation with concerned stakeholders to to overcome water shortage in the federal capital.Jahangir Badar, Leader of the House told the Senate that a project “Conduction of water from Shah Allah Ditta Reservoir to different sectors of Islamabad” had been awarded to the contractor. The contractor has completed 75 per cent work.