KARACHI For the first time in recent history, the Punjab and Sindh governments on Saturday sat on a table to discuss water strategy and to resolve the dispute over this issue. Though, both provinces could not reach a formula, yet they decided to continue dialogue process to resolve all water-related disputes in the light of 1991 water accord. This was decided in a meeting between Punjab and Sindh governments held at Chief Minister House, where a high-level delegation from Punjab had come to discuss the water issue. This meeting was the follow-up of the directives of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and decisions taken in the meeting of Chief Ministers of Sindh and Punjab recently. The Punjab delegation comprising Senior Adviser to CM Punjab Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, Senior Minister Raja Riaz, Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Irrigation & Power Punjab and Secretary Works & Services Punjab along with technical expert Muhammad Yaqub took part in the discussion, while Sindh Minister for Irrigation & Power Syed Murad Ali Shah, Secretary Irrigation & Power Shujauddin Junejo, water experts ANG Abbasi and Idrees Rajput were part of team of Sindh govt. According to Chief Minister House spokesman, the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere while all the issues related to sharing of water were discussed in detail. It was decided that these issues would be further elaborated in the next meeting of the technocrats to be held on Monday or Tuesday in Lahore for which Government of Punjab had invited technical team of Government of Sindh to visit Lahore as early as possible. The official statement said that it was reassured by the both sides that the matters would be resolved in the light of 1991 Water Accord. Later at a seminar, Sindh Minister for Irrigation Syed Murad Ali Shah while talking to media said that it had been decided that Sindh technical team would hold negotiations with Punjab technical team at Lahore on Monday, 'while I shall also visit Lahore next week. The Sindh and Punjab will resolve the water dispute in the same spirit adopted during NFC meeting, he said, adding, that technical teams of both sides will adopt a strategy and discuss the issues technically. He further said that after technical teams, the Chief Ministers will meet and discuss problems to resolve the issues. He pointed out that the PPP government wanted to solve disputes with dialogue, hoping the any solution would come in favour of Sindh. Meanwhile, the water expert Idrees Rajput who was a part of Sindh team in negotiation with Punjab, while talking to The Nation said that both provinces discussed water issues in detail, but could not reach conclusion in first meeting to solve the dispute. Rajput said that Sindh team argued that Chashma Jehlum Link Canal was not perennial, so water should not be released in it. The Sindh team also raised objections over sanctioning of water for CJ canal by IRSA, he said, adding, that water release for downstream Kotri Barage had also come under discussion. Rajput pointed out that the issue of controversial power plant on CJ canal raised by Sindh government nor referred to by Punjab team. Both sides also debated the filling criteria of Mangla dam, as Sindh had shown reservations over the present criteria of Mangla filling. The Kalabagh dam issue also did not come under discussion, he said, terming that meeting did not reach any conclusion about any decision, however, it was decided that negotiation process would continue. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government delegation headed by Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa & Senior Irrigation Minister and PPPs Parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz also called on Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah at his office. According to CM House, the Chief Minister Sindh apprised the Punjab delegation that due to non-flow of water, the situation in lower Sindh was worsening and besides huge damages to crops, even animals were dying there. He stressed upon Senior Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa to close Chashma Jehlum Link Canal, and to release water in River Indus, else the Rabi crop sown in lower Sindh would be damaged and people of area would face acute problems. Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa and Senior Minister Raja Riaz assured the Chief Minister Sindh that the water would be discharged and released soon, the CM House added.