Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

n. The possibility that certain elements within the Irrigation hierarchies
mislead its political leadership regarding benefits of creation of
additional water storage cannot be ruled out.
o. The World Bank programme on drainage in last three decades and
Taunsa Rehabilitation project may be reviewed to ensure
transparency especially in the context of technology transfer and
training of local professionals and Para-technical staff.
p. The packages prepared for the restoration of irrigation works and
embankments had a cost factor of Rs.61 billion in Sindh alone, and
the consensus DNA of Rs.11 billion raises legitimate and serious
concerns in respect of departmental practices.
q. AGP may also undertake special audit of funds expended in last
10-years for irrigation sector including review of its own reports.
68. It was stated that in many areas people ignored warnings about impending
disasters for various reasons. Manifest disconnect at local levels may have made
them brush aside implicit or explicit dangers for public infrastructure, large and
small, standing agricultural crops by unsuspecting / ill-prepared people, limited
access to TV network further impeded by uneven load-shedding in rural areas,
pre-occupation with fasting and worship.
69. Given the imperfect nature of observed communication with the affectees
and their sympathisers, as water flows increased, perceptions mixed with reality
compounded the confusion. Parliamentary debates did not dispel adverse public
perceptions, both woven by design or with effort. Meantime, the official credibility
touched a new low; numbers were no longer relevant; even one complainant was
too many to generate media blitz. The local and national media chased the
waters, as brave men and women anchors and public representatives repeatedly
flagged to the authorities about areas of default, real or potential, suggesting
absence of coordinated response. The HR Petitions filed by two
Parliamentarians, one each from both sides of the divide, including the Deputy
Chairman, Senate of Pakistan who sent a letter to Hon’ble Court through a
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