ISLAMABAD: A government proposal to divert water from the Indus River for corporate farming sparked intense debate in the Senate on Tuesday, with senators across party lines urging that the matter be addressed by the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Sherry Rehman, PPP Vice President and Senate parliamentary leader, criticized the government’s plan to build six new canals without consulting key stakeholders. Speaking on the issue, she questioned the government’s silence on such controversial initiatives and stressed the need for transparency.
Rehman highlighted the potential risks of the project, including water shortages in Sindh and threats to agricultural productivity. She argued that the irrigation of Cholistan’s barren lands could lead to the desertification of fertile areas in Sindh, potentially displacing 20 million people and causing widespread unemployment. She also emphasized that the CCI, a constitutional body for resolving inter-provincial matters, had not convened in 11 months.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Syed Shibli Faraz, expressed confusion over Rehman’s complaints, pointing out that PPP is a major government ally. He stressed the urgency of institutionalizing the CCI and called for an immediate meeting to address the issue.
JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza supported the call for deliberation, stating that any surplus water allocation should not be controversial, given the existing shortages under the 1991 Water Accord.
PPP Senator Jam Saifullah Khan warned of legal action if the matter was not addressed at the CCI level, emphasizing that unilateral decisions could harm the federation. He urged halting construction work on the canals and cautioned against taking PPP’s support for granted.
PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui defended Punjab’s use of its allocated water share under the 1991 accord, while PTI’s Senator Ali Zafar echoed Rehman’s concerns, citing national water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, overpopulation, and inefficient irrigation systems.
Minister for Water Resources Musadik Malik refuted claims that Sindh’s water share was being compromised. He clarified that no new dams or canals are being built on the Indus River. He explained that the Cholistan Canal, drawing water from Punjab’s share via the Sutlej River, complies with the 1991 accord.
Malik assured senators that a CCI meeting would be convened soon to address concerns. Rehman, however, urged for the matter to be referred to a committee with representation from Sindh and Balochistan, seeking further clarity and a fixed date for the CCI session.
