KARACHI: Experts have urged the government to enhance focus on preserving, repairing and maintaining the existing water infrastructure. Increased coordination between water, agriculture and industry sectors would enhance the water supply and quality throughout country. They expressed their views during a discussion held in Karachi. The event was part of launching of recommendations for Pakistan’s National Water Policy Framework held by Hisaar Foundation. The suggestions were result of two years consultations held with various water stakeholders across national and international experts. The panelists included Zohair Ashir Chairperson Hisaar Foundation, Abdul Fateh Tunio from Planning and Development Department, Irshad Bohio from Wapda, Ehsan Malik, Arif Alvi, Seema Taher Khan and others. Speaking on the occasion, Zohair Ashir said mismanagement of water was a governance issue and the government was non-responsive. “There is dire need for extending irrigation system to arid districts of Pakistan. Creating new storages and enhancing existing storages at different levels could serve the purpose in this regard. It would also bring the improvement in water efficiency and increasing productivity in agriculture,” Zohair stated added. He stressed on improving water access for the poor and landless, financing the urban and rural water value chain, safeguarding the Indus Basin and its infrastructure, improving water institutions and their management and governance and finally building a base for science, technology and social aspects of water. Another speaker Simi Kamal stressed for making enhanced investment in water infrastructure as hydropower was a core part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Shedding the light on water economy, Ehsan Malik said that the cost of replacement of the existing Indus basin irrigation system is estimated to amount to 1 trillion US Dollars which needs to be protected on priority basis. It also calls for a reversal in abiyana to realize the true value of water. The policy framework calls for control in groundwater withdrawals as well as generation of additional indigenous hydropower. Pricing of water was an important topic of discussion amongst the panelists as was the inaction on the part of the government to formulate a national water policy. Mr. Arif Alvi said that Karachi is dumping approximately 420 million gallons of sewage into the sea. To conclude, Ms. Seema Taher Khan urged the Sindh government to adopt the policy framework for implementation at all levels. She also said that the policy framework will be launched in all the provinces. Songs were also played depicting the plight of the people of Tharparkar and other arid areas.