Cholistan canal project echoes in NA

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Monday demanded that the government convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to discuss the Cholistan Canal Project.

Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, Ms. Sharmila Farooqui of PPP said without removing the concerns of Balochistan and Sindh, the project was a big injustice. She also noted that there had been no meeting of the CCI in the last 11 months which constituted a violation of Article 154 of the Constitution.

The PPP parliamentarian pointed out that the water share of Balochistan and Sindh would reduce further when there would be no flood water. She further said the country had already received 40 percent less rains during the July-December period.

Ms. Farooqui said strong federating units guaranteed a strong federation. “Our production also suffered because of the Chashma Jhelum Canal,” she said, alleging that the Irsa member from Sindh was also forced to give water availability report on behalf of the province to start, what she said, a controversial water project.

Ms Farooqui said following the imposition of agriculture tax, the Cholistan Canal Project would add to the problems of growers from Sindh. “There is already shortage of water in Sindh, particularly during the non-flood season but still this province is contributing in a big way in production of wheat and sugarcane crops,” she said.

She said unlike the PTI parliamentarians who had been under protest, the PPP wanted to raise the concerns of people on the floor of the House. Speaking on a point of order, Mian Khan Bugti of PMLN appreciated the security forces, deputy commissioner and civil administration for immediate recovery of two women who were abducted from Khuzdar district of Balochistan.

“We have full confidence in our establishment, security forces who have been working from peace and development in the province,” he said. Aasia Siddiqui of MQM alleged manipulation in the issuance of Sindh Urban domicile in order to give admissions in medical colleges to the students coming from the interior Sindh.

She demanded an inquiry into the issuance of domiciles to the students, which, she said, was a big injustice to the urban population. She said 100 students having double domiciles had been admitted to the medical colleges of Karachi, depriving the urban population of their rights.

“Previously, our children from Sindh Urban were deprived of government jobs because of fake Sindh Urban domiciles issued to the youth of interior Sindh,” she said. Meanwhile, the business advisory committee of the National Assembly which met with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair prior to start of proceedings on Monday, decided that the 13th session of the House would continue till February 18 (Tuesday next).

It was decided to give importance to the Question Hour and legislative business related to the public interest, said the National Assembly Secretariat in a statement.

MNAs Nuzhat Sadiq, Ejaz Jhakrani, Ejazul Haq, Shahla Raza, Syed Naveed Qamar, Riaz Fatyana, Khalid Magsi, Syed Hafeezuddin, PTI parliamentary leader Zartaj Gul and party’s chief whip Malik Aamir Dogar also attended the meeting.