Govt Reviews Telemetry Project
ISLAMABAD : The Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, vivted the headquarters of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) in Islamabad. The purpose of the visit was to receive a comprehensive briefing on IRSA’s institutional role, recent operational performance, and strategic initiatives undertaken to modernize water governance in Pakistan.
Chairman IRSA and other officials delivered a detailed presentation, highlighting the Authority’s statutory foundation under the IRSA Act (1992), rooted in the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991, approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The briefing covered IRSA’s constitutional mandate to regulate the equitable distribution of Indus water among the provinces, real-time water data sharing, and the Authority’s conflict-resolution mechanism to address inter-provincial water disputes.
A key feature of the session was the update on the Telemetry System Project for real-time discharge monitoring at 27 key sites across the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS). This initiative, is expected to significantly enhance transparency, trust, and operational efficiency in water allocation.
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The IRSA officials also briefed the Federal Minister on the current provincial water demands and distribution status as of July 2, 2025.
In his remarks, Federal Minister Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo expressed appreciation for IRSA’s evolving role in addressing Pakistan’s complex water challenges. He emphasized the government’s commitment to equitable water distribution, national cohesion, and transparent resource governance. The Federal Minister particularly endorsed the telemetry initiative, calling it “a decisive step towards digital water management that ensures accuracy, reduces conflict, and builds confidence among all provinces.”
The Federal Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing transparency through real-time public reporting of water data, and stressed that IRSA must uphold complete impartiality in the distribution of water among provinces. Moreover, the Federal Minister directed that a detailed strategy paper addressing the operational challenges at Tarbela T4 and T5 be submitted, to facilitate timely resolution of the identified constraints.
“The future of Pakistan depends on how wisely we use our water,” the Federal Minister said. “This is not just a technical job—it is a matter of national survival and public trust. Our farms, our economy, and the daily lives of millions rely on it. IRSA must work as a national body that is fair, open, and answerable to the people of Pakistan.”
The visit concluded with a strong resolve by the Federal Ministry and IRSA to move forward together, ensuring fair and sustainable water distribution—protecting national unity and securing the future of every province in Pakistan.
