LAHORE, Jan 29 : Former Information Minister Senator Mohammed Ali Durrani Thursday warned of a massive food crisis across country, saying that steps were not being taken to ensure provision of water to Bahawalpur Division and other parts of Southern Punjab and the country's fertile lands were fast turning into deserts.
Addressing a seminar on restoration of Bahawalpur Province here at Lahore Press Club, Senator Durrani gave a wake up call to the ruling elites, saying that immediate steps were needed to provide water for the inhabitants of Bahawalpur Division and other parts of South Punjab to avert the looming threat of food security.
"Time has come for the rulers to adopt a prudent water strategy for the country, especially for Southern Punjab . If the civilization living alongside Satluj River is not provided water, no progress could be made on agriculture front," he warned.
Calling upon the government to take up the issue of blockage of domestic waters of River Satluj, Ravi and Bias, with the Indian government, Senator Durrani asserted that this issue should also be raised at the United Nations.
"I am afraid that India is involved in water terrorism against Pakistani people and the world community should be informed about this vicious attempt made by the Indians. This is a vicious attempt to turn our farms into ruins," he asserted.
Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani said that the movement for restoration of Bahawalpur Province has been launched on and it would continue till the fulfillment of the promises made by Quid-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for Provincial status of Bahawalpur .
"Since Lahore is just like Pakistan 's heart, this function has been held here to inform the Laoriites that no movement for rights could succeed without struggling for the rights. After this successful programme, I would give a good news to my people that the people of Lahore also support the movement for restoration of Bahawalpur Province which is getting near to its logical end and soon we would get are goal accomplished," he remarked.
He said the restoration of Bahawalpur Province would open new vistas of prosperity and strengthening of the federation of Pakistan.
Senator Durrani made it clear that no comprise would be made on the restoration of Bahawalpur Province and the people's force would abolish any heddle coming in this way.
The Former Minister reminded that the NFC award is given to province on the basis of population and these resources should be this distributed among all the regions off a province however, he said the resources of Punjab wore spent on Lahore and its adjoining areas in past.
However, Senator Durrani said that south Punjab and espically Bahawalpur was neglected in the past and the people of South Punjab were deprived of their right since 1960.
"Had the people of Bahawalpur were given their due share in past, they would not have been drinking black water. I urge the government to immediately restore Bahawalpur Province or the people would get their goal through struggle," he added.
Malik Habibullah Bhutta, Abida Durrani, Moonis Baloch and Hafeez Qaiser also addressed the seminar which was largely attended by youth, academia, journalists and scholars.
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