Monitoring Desk
KABUL: Stressing on proper utilization of water in the country, President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday sought more efforts in this regard.
President Ghani said this while addressing a gathering of land, water and environmental council. The gathering was held with President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani in the chair. Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah also attended the meeting.
Deputy Minister for Water and Energy Khan Muhammad Takal briefed the participants about four phases to reach national goals for proper utilization of water resources, integration of water situation in the country and addressing the challenges in front of water utilization.
On the occasion, deputy minister of agriculture and livestock for water utilization and natural resources Hashmatullah Ghafoori briefed the gathering about the existing opportunities and challenges in the way of water utilization.
Acting minister for rural development zonal reconciliation programme Baryalai Hilali informed the meeting about the affairs of the ministry to boost the water sector and related projects. Chairman of water supply Engineer Hamidullah Yalani briefed the participants about the water supply and wastage.
According to a presidential office press release available with Afghan Islamic Press (AIP), second deputy president Sarwar Danish, Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abullah, Acting Finance Minister Muhammad Humayun Qayumi, Minister for Rural Development Mujeebur Rahman Karimi and presidential advisor Muhammad Amin Karim addressed the gathering for proper utilization of water resources in the country.
Addressing the meeting, President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani said the existing situation of water showed urgency in the country.
The work done for water utilization showed coordination among the concerned agencies, he said. However, the efforts were not enough, be observed. He stressed on more efforts on emergency basis for proper utilization of water. He suggested work on such a national policy which could ensure consolidated activities and good results in a short time.
Common people thought the water situation was still proven, he said. However, the water situation was changing with the altering environment.
Stressing on the presence of a clear policy on the national level for water utilization, he said the country needed basic maps of pathway to bring clear development in this sector.
About 90 percent irrigation in the country was done on cultural ways, the president said. The climate change has confronted this sector with threats, he added.
Stressing on water utilization as natural investment, he said the government needed to ensure participation of people for water utilization, canals, water and other resources. It would ensure proper utilization of water resources with the rising drought in the next few years.
The Afghan government has paid proper attention towards utilization of water in the country over the past few years. Some dams were constructed for this purpose. Work was in progress on other projects.
The steps taken by the Afghan government has increased concerns of Pakistan and Iran. Talks are currently in progress between Iran and Afghanistan on distribution of water.
Pakistan has some issues with Afghanistan on distribution of water. Islamabad has said time and again that it would hold serious talks with Kabul on the issue of water.
Thousands of acres of land in Afghanistan are without water at a time when the water of the country flows to Pakistan and Iran.
Afghanistan has wide resources of water. The Afghan government has not been able due to wars over the past few decades to utilize its water, construct hydropower dams and use the resources for agriculture.
President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani has said that the water flowing in Afghanistan would be utilized as per the international laws. According to the president, it was among his top priorities. (AIP)
