ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Water Resources to expedite efforts for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams. Presiding over a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, he also directed that financing strategy for Diamer-Bhasha Dam should be brought before the Council of Common Interests for approval. During the meeting, an overview of the annual surface water availability and distribution of western and eastern rivers was presented along with water storage capacity available in the country. Matters pertaining to trans-boundary water issues and the efforts being made for early resolution of the pending disputes also came under discussion. He observed that in order to meet the challenges of water scarcity and to cater to irrigation needs of the country, there was an urgent need for undertaking water conservation measures including construction of much-needed water reservouirs. The prime minister said that failure to add storage capacity during last four decades has created a situation of water scarcity. The meeting was informed that out of 137 million acre feet of available water flow at present approximately 93 MAF was being diverted to the canals for irrigation purposes, while 22 MAF of water flowed into the Arabian Sea. Taking note of significant increase in the unaccounted for water which had increased from 10 MAF to 22 MAF, the PM directed to put in place an effective mechanism for monitoring of discharge at all structures of Indus Basin Irrigation System. GSP status: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired a meeting to review the impact of GSP Plus regime on Pakistan’s trade. Various issues relating to further strengthening of Pak-EU trade partnership and securing greater market access for Pakistani products also came under discussion. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory in trade volume which recorded an increase of 38.5% since 2013. The meeting was informed that the GSP Plus facility had enhanced eligibility of Pakistani products for duty-free access on additional 66% EU’s tariff lines and provided level playing field to our goods vis-à-vis similar products from competitors who have very liberal arrangements with the EU. It was informed that various measures taken by the government, including setting up of a Treaty Implementation Cell, establishment of Independent National Commission on Human Rights, activation of commissions on women as well as children rights and several legislations passed by the federal and provincial assemblies have contributed significantly in improving country’s image internationally. The meeting also reviewed the preparations for second biennial review of the facility which would be held in January 2018. The prime minister directed that all stakeholders including Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others should work together in resolving issues in a way to further cementing of Pak-EU trade partnership and securing greater access for the Pakistani products in the international markets. Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, SAPM on Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail and senior officials attended the meeting. Published in Daily Times, October 18th 2017.