ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the issue of water distribution to the provinces would be resolved by following the 1991 water treaty carried out by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Speaking in the National Assembly, after the members raised the issue of water shortage in the country, Prime Minister Gilani said it was a temporary phase, which is over now. He held out categorical assurance to the House that water share of one province will not be diverted to the other. The Prime Minister said that he was in constant contact with the Chief Minister of Punjab and the shortage of water was no more there. He said the 1991 water accord, hammered out by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, will be followed. There should be no doubt that the 1991 water accord will be followed in letter and spirit and no one should have any doubt about it, he added. He said that he would soon chair a meeting of Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and Ministry of Water and Power where parliamentarians would also be invited to raise issues pertaining to water and its distribution. Responding to various points of order from the members that women members in particular were not allowed to speak by the chair, he said if they will bring their issues through adjournment motions it will make the parliament strong. This will be more effective and enhance the prestige of the parliament, he said, adding that it was the responsibility of the leader of various parties to nominate their members to speak; therefore, the onus does not lie with the Speaker. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that to make parliament effective and sovereign, there was need for strong committees system where the issues of national importance could be discussed. He urged various committees to elect their chairmen as soon as possible to ensure their smooth working. The Prime Minister at the very outset congratulated Mian Nawaz Sharif for his acquittal in the Helicopter Case by the Lahore High Court. This is a victory of democracy, he added. He also congratulated the house for unanimous passage of budget for the fiscal year 2009-10 and said such unanimity was unprecedented in Pakistans history. The Prime Minister said that the funds from international donors for IDPs were being used judiciously. Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on the point of order that the government could not fallow parliamentary calendar and violated it for eight times while it had been passed unanimously in the House Business Advisory Committee. He said that it was for the first time that the House had passed the budget in a democratic way. He added that the opposition gave its positive suggestions and criticised some policies of the government. Even it staged a token walkout at some important points, he said. He said that the government must implement the Budget 2009-10 passed by the National Assembly. He added that the opposition would closely monitor the budget for transparency in expenditures. All the decisions should be taken in the Parliament instead on roads and in the Supreme Court, he said, adding that the government should not withdraw subsidies on gas and electricity, otherwise, the people would come on roads in protest against the decision. He said as the country is passing through a critical economic and security situation, the parliamentarians should set an example by donating increase in their salaries for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other poor people. Responding the point of order of the Opposition leader, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan admitted that the parliamentary calendar was being violated during the session and assured the House that in future it would not happen. The minister also welcomed the decision of the opposition to closely monitor the implementation of Federal Budget 2009-10 for transparency in expenditures. To a point of order by opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the minister said the sacrosanct of the proposals given by all the parties in the House could only be maintained through the mechanism suggested by leader of the opposition. Earlier, the members expressed grave concern over water and electricity shortage and water distribution to the provinces. They demanded the all the provinces should give water share according to their rights. Ghaus Baksh Mehar of PML-Q, while talking on point of order, said that water supply to BS Canal has been stopped for the last four due to the closed of Guddu Barrage. He said that the paddy crap would badly affected due to not supplying of water on time. He pointed out that the step would likely to damage Sindhs crops and four to five districts of upper areas of the province would be affected and asked the government to distribute water equally among four provinces. Ahsan Iqbal of PML-N said on a point of order that water distribution to the provinces could be resolved by implementing on the 1991 water treaty. Criticising the government regarding water issues with India, the PML-N member said that the government was taking no steps on the issue of blockade of water by India. He added that wars could be triggered on water issue between Pakistan and India. He said that water distribution to the provinces should be resolved in Council of Common Interest (CCI). Minster for Privatisation Naveed Qamar told the House the government would soon present a report in the House about water distribution to the provinces. Education Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani said that districts included Kashmor, Larkana, Jacobabad and Shikarpur were irrigated from BS Canal and the crops would be damaged if water supply was not provided in next 15 days. He said that the province was facing 40 percent shortage and instead of equal distribution, burden put on BS Canal. Chief of JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on a point of order that NWFP was also not getting its water quantity from Chashma Right Canal. Jamshed Dasti, Munir Khan Orkazi, Khawaj Muhmaamd Khan Hoti and other member also spoke on point of orders. Meanwhile, member PML-Q Marvi Memon withdrew her privilege motions after assurance from the Prime Minister regarding outflow of 10 million acre water from Kotri Barrage. Talking on point of order, she said that Federal Minister for Water and Power and IRSA officials failed to satisfy sub-committee of Environment, which breached the privilege of House. Speaking on a point of order, Minister for Port and Shipping, Babar Ghouri said that the 80 per cent areas of Karachi were facing load shedding and the Prime Minister should take initiative in this regard. The MQM members also stood up at their seats and asked the Chairman Abdul Qadir Patel that the Minster for Water and Power should respond their points of order about loadshedding in Karachi but he adjourned the House till 5:00pm on Monday by saying that a minister could not respond to other minister on the floor of the House. He said that any minister could respond to other minister in the cabinet meeting.